This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(February 2022)
Environmental Performance Vehicles (EPV), previously DesignLine Corporation, is a manufacturer of coach, electric and range-extended electric (hybrid) buses. It was founded in Ashburton, New Zealand in 1985. Initially it was a manufacturer of tour coaches. In the 1990s it diversified into conventional transit buses and then added hybrid city buses in the late 1990s. It was acquired by American interests in 2006, and DesignLine Corporation's headquarters was relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a bankruptcy in 2013, the assets of DesignLine were sold and the company was renamed.
EPV is no longer affiliated with the DesignLine operations in New Zealand, which was placed in liquidation in 2011[1] and then sold to a Malaysian-controlled joint business venture who operate it under the name DesignLine Bus Pacific,[2] which was renamed Global Bus Ventures (NZ) on 30 May 2016.[3]
As DesignLine, it filed for protection under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on August 15, 2013. The case was subsequently transferred to North Carolina. They employed over 250 people in the city of Charlotte.[4]
Katie Goodman, Managing Partner of GGG Partners, LLC was retained as Chief Restructuring Officer of the corporation just prior to the filing.
On October 28, 2013, Wonderland Investment Group Inc. acquired most of the assets of DesignLine in an auction. Several key issues of the bankruptcy - including a class action suit for wrongful termination by DesignLine employees and the potential termination of a contract with the Denver Regional Transportation District - are set to be decided on January 14, 2014.[5] Wonderland renamed the company EPV in January 2014.
EcoSaver hybrid bus
One of the vehicles within EPV's fleet is the EcoSaver, a range-extended electric hybrid bus. The EcoSaver is plug-in sodium battery powered backed up by an on-board diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) turbine engine. The bus is 100% emissions free.[citation needed] Unlike other hybrid buses, the on-board engine does not run vehicle systems as the battery depletes. Rather the turbine produces electricity that recharges the batteries. The turbines are supplied by Capstone Turbine of Chatsworth, California. This vehicle was first used from December 1998 in Christchurch, New Zealand, branded as The Shuttle.[6]
The bus was originally designed as a response to the international tender for ecological buses to be used in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This first-of-its-kind technology has been deployed in a number of fleets as the process has been tested and improved. Recent testing at the Bus Testing and Research Center at Penn State University show a substantial improvement in fuel economy over traditional buses. The EcoSaver will also be included as part of a national research effort coordinated by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to yield performance data on clean fuel vehicles.
The bus plugs in to recharge, and captures energy from regenerative braking technology. The bus does not need proprietary charging infrastructure. Simple industrial grade electrical access is all that is required. The buses can travel more than 100 miles between charges.
Numerous demonstration fleets of EcoSaver vehicles have been deployed worldwide since 1998. The DesignLine electric drive system has undergone several major development cycles, with the fourth generation North American system now in production.
The EcoSmart is in service internationally in Australia and Abu Dhabi UAE. The Société de Transport de Laval in Quebec, Canada is currently testing the EcoSmart for use in its fleet.
Electric vehicle
DesignLine's EcoSmart is an all-electric bus powered by sodium batteries, and based on the established EcoSaver drive train system.
Coach vehicle
DesignLine's EcoCoach is a high floor, single door bus powered by either compressed natural gas (CNG) or diesel fuel. The bus is built on a lightweight frame that lowers overall vehicle weight and improves fuel economy. The bus is designed for long routes with infrequent stops, such as intercity routes, or limited access transit routes (i.e. Park and Ride). DesignLine had a contract with New Jersey Transit to supply the agency with 76 EcoCoach buses by May 2013.
The EcoCoach is also the first 45-foot CNG coach to complete testing at the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center.
Products
DesignLine markets the following buses:
Model
Photo
Features
EcoSmart
DesignLine Electric Bus
All-electric vehicle.
Produced in 30, 35 and 42 foot versions.
EcoSaver
DesignLine REEV bus
On-board 65kw micro-turbine (powered by CNG or diesel) generator to recharge batteries.
EcoCoach
DesignLine EcoCoach bus
High floor, single door bus powered by either compressed natural gas (CNG) or diesel fuel.
Usage
Currently, Designline/EPV buses are used in revenue service in five countries worldwide.[7]
United States
Current operators
New Jersey Transit on the 63, 64, 67, and 68 lines between Toms River, Lakewood, Freehold, Old Bridge, and Newark/Jersey City/Hoboken. Current fleet is retired due to Designline bankruptcy.
RTD, Denver, CO - RTD currently operates two EcoSaver IV vehicles modified for the 16th Street Mall shuttle. An order for additional buses was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of DesignLine.[8]
Stagecoach - one Olymbus diesel-electric bus was evaluated in 2004, this bus became one of ten Olymbus buses for QuayLink bus service in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead and they were operated from 22 July 2005 until being replaced by Optare Versa from 10 August 2010. This was due to difficulty coping with hills on the route.[9]
References
^Steeman, Marta (1 June 2011). "DesignLine liquidation costs jobs". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
^STEEMAN, MARTA (23 August 2011). "Malaysians take stake in bus joint venture". BusinessDay.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
^"Hybrid, electric bus maker files for bankruptcy". USA Today. 17 August 2013.
^"Workers' suit, contract dispute drive DesignLine court hearings on Tuesday".
^Hamilton, Jennie (Autumn 1999). "User-friendly Shuttle Buses A Winner". Our Environment. Christchurch: Christchurch City Council (18). Retrieved 5 April 2020.
^. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
^Whaley, Monte (22 January 2013). "RTD Approves New Shuttle Buses for 16th Street Mall". denverpost.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
^"Plug pulled on Newcastle quayside electric bus". 27 June 2010.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to DesignLine International buses.
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This article needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information February 2022 Environmental Performance Vehicles EPV previously DesignLine Corporation is a manufacturer of coach electric and range extended electric hybrid buses It was founded in Ashburton New Zealand in 1985 Initially it was a manufacturer of tour coaches In the 1990s it diversified into conventional transit buses and then added hybrid city buses in the late 1990s It was acquired by American interests in 2006 and DesignLine Corporation s headquarters was relocated to Charlotte North Carolina Following a bankruptcy in 2013 the assets of DesignLine were sold and the company was renamed Environmental Performance VehiclesTypePrivateIndustryBus manufacturingFounded1985 as DesignLine 2014 EPV Corp FoundersJohn Turton as DesignLine Tony Luo EPV Corp HeadquartersCharlotte North Carolina United StatesArea servedNorth AmericaOwnerWonderland Investment GroupEPV is no longer affiliated with the DesignLine operations in New Zealand which was placed in liquidation in 2011 1 and then sold to a Malaysian controlled joint business venture who operate it under the name DesignLine Bus Pacific 2 which was renamed Global Bus Ventures NZ on 30 May 2016 3 Contents 1 Bankruptcy 2 EcoSaver hybrid bus 3 Electric vehicle 4 Coach vehicle 5 Products 6 Usage 6 1 United States 6 2 Canada 6 3 New Zealand 6 4 Australia 6 5 Other countries 7 References 8 External linksBankruptcy EditAs DesignLine it filed for protection under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on August 15 2013 The case was subsequently transferred to North Carolina They employed over 250 people in the city of Charlotte 4 Katie Goodman Managing Partner of GGG Partners LLC was retained as Chief Restructuring Officer of the corporation just prior to the filing On October 28 2013 Wonderland Investment Group Inc acquired most of the assets of DesignLine in an auction Several key issues of the bankruptcy including a class action suit for wrongful termination by DesignLine employees and the potential termination of a contract with the Denver Regional Transportation District are set to be decided on January 14 2014 5 Wonderland renamed the company EPV in January 2014 EcoSaver hybrid bus EditOne of the vehicles within EPV s fleet is the EcoSaver a range extended electric hybrid bus The EcoSaver is plug in sodium battery powered backed up by an on board diesel or compressed natural gas CNG turbine engine The bus is 100 emissions free citation needed Unlike other hybrid buses the on board engine does not run vehicle systems as the battery depletes Rather the turbine produces electricity that recharges the batteries The turbines are supplied by Capstone Turbine of Chatsworth California This vehicle was first used from December 1998 in Christchurch New Zealand branded as The Shuttle 6 The bus was originally designed as a response to the international tender for ecological buses to be used in the 2000 Sydney Olympics This first of its kind technology has been deployed in a number of fleets as the process has been tested and improved Recent testing at the Bus Testing and Research Center at Penn State University show a substantial improvement in fuel economy over traditional buses The EcoSaver will also be included as part of a national research effort coordinated by the National Renewable Energy Lab NREL to yield performance data on clean fuel vehicles The bus plugs in to recharge and captures energy from regenerative braking technology The bus does not need proprietary charging infrastructure Simple industrial grade electrical access is all that is required The buses can travel more than 100 miles between charges Numerous demonstration fleets of EcoSaver vehicles have been deployed worldwide since 1998 The DesignLine electric drive system has undergone several major development cycles with the fourth generation North American system now in production The EcoSmart is in service internationally in Australia and Abu Dhabi UAE The Societe de Transport de Laval in Quebec Canada is currently testing the EcoSmart for use in its fleet Electric vehicle EditDesignLine s EcoSmart is an all electric bus powered by sodium batteries and based on the established EcoSaver drive train system Coach vehicle EditDesignLine s EcoCoach is a high floor single door bus powered by either compressed natural gas CNG or diesel fuel The bus is built on a lightweight frame that lowers overall vehicle weight and improves fuel economy The bus is designed for long routes with infrequent stops such as intercity routes or limited access transit routes i e Park and Ride DesignLine had a contract with New Jersey Transit to supply the agency with 76 EcoCoach buses by May 2013 The EcoCoach is also the first 45 foot CNG coach to complete testing at the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center Products EditDesignLine markets the following buses Model Photo FeaturesEcoSmart DesignLine Electric Bus All electric vehicle Produced in 30 35 and 42 foot versions EcoSaver DesignLine REEV bus On board 65kw micro turbine powered by CNG or diesel generator to recharge batteries EcoCoach DesignLine EcoCoach bus High floor single door bus powered by either compressed natural gas CNG or diesel fuel Usage EditCurrently Designline EPV buses are used in revenue service in five countries worldwide 7 United States Edit Current operators New Jersey Transit on the 63 64 67 and 68 lines between Toms River Lakewood Freehold Old Bridge and Newark Jersey City Hoboken Current fleet is retired due to Designline bankruptcy RTD Denver CO RTD currently operates two EcoSaver IV vehicles modified for the 16th Street Mall shuttle An order for additional buses was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of DesignLine 8 Canada Edit Societe de transport de Laval 1 unit New Zealand Edit Auckland NZ Bus North Star GO WEST Metrolink Waka Pacific Birkenhead Transport Ritchies Howick and Eastern SkyBus Pavlovich Coachlines Go Bus Transport Christchurch Leopard Coachlines Red Bus Ltd Go Bus Christchurch Tauranga Go Bus Transport Dunedin Ritchies Transport Passenger Transport Citibus Hamilton Hastings and Napier Palmerston North Wellington GO Wellington Valley FlyerAustralia Edit Adelaide Mackay Qld MelbourneOther countries Edit Tokyo Japan Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom Stagecoach one Olymbus diesel electric bus was evaluated in 2004 this bus became one of ten Olymbus buses for QuayLink bus service in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead and they were operated from 22 July 2005 until being replaced by Optare Versa from 10 August 2010 This was due to difficulty coping with hills on the route 9 References Edit Steeman Marta 1 June 2011 DesignLine liquidation costs jobs stuff co nz Retrieved 13 June 2011 STEEMAN MARTA 23 August 2011 Malaysians take stake in bus joint venture BusinessDay co nz Fairfax New Zealand Retrieved 23 August 2011 http www companiesoffice govt nz companies app ui pages companies 3439013 22849341 entityFilingRequirement Companies Office New Zealand Hybrid electric bus maker files for bankruptcy USA Today 17 August 2013 Workers suit contract dispute drive DesignLine court hearings on Tuesday Hamilton Jennie Autumn 1999 User friendly Shuttle Buses A Winner Our Environment Christchurch Christchurch City Council 18 Retrieved 5 April 2020 Ride A DesignLine DesignLine Corporation Archived from the original on 29 January 2010 Retrieved 21 July 2010 Whaley Monte 22 January 2013 RTD Approves New Shuttle Buses for 16th Street Mall denverpost com Retrieved 2 May 2013 Plug pulled on Newcastle quayside electric bus 27 June 2010 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to DesignLine International buses Official website dead link ECOSaver IV Hybrid electric bus Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Environmental Performance Vehicles amp oldid 1109967506, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
