Cummins Partners With Canadian Company
(photo courtesy IUPUI)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowColumbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has announced a joint effort with Canada-based TM4 Inc. to develop a plug-in hybrid powertrain for transit buses. The companies say the goal is to reduce fuel consumption by at least 50 percent over conventional hybrid buses.
TM4 says the joint project seeks to provide transit authorities with a more flexible, efficient drivetrain and a long-range zero emission capability for inner city routes. Researchers at Cummins will be responsible for selecting the engine with the best capabilities for managing the charge level of an all-electric drive battery pack.
"The close integration and control of the electrified powertrain with an appropriately selected engine is critically important to developing a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle system," said Wayne Eckerle, vice president of research and technology at Cummins. "We believe that through the team’s efforts we can become a significant player in electrification of commercial vehicles by providing complete systems to benefit our global customers."
The powertrain will be shown next week at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit in Montreal.