In The News
AVTA Goes Zero-Emission
Published by National Bus Trader
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions, on March 17 congratulated the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) on announcing the completion of its transition to a 100 percent zero-emission transit fleet.
AVTA is the transit agency serving the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster and northern Los Angeles County in California, with an annual ridership of more than three million.
The achievement was celebrated by AVTA during a formal event held in Lancaster, California, alongside its board of directors, California Air Resources Board (CARB) representatives, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and MCI representatives who also celebrated the delivery of AVTA’s 20th MCI electric coach. The agency purchased 24 D45 CRT LE CHARGE™ battery-electric coaches from MCI as part of its transition to a zeroemission fleet, the first of which was delivered last fall. The order was supported by Federal Transit Administration funds and replaced AVTA’s end-of-life vehicles with high-capacity, emission-free coaches, ultimately moving AVTA to fulfillment of CARB’s Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation which mandates transition to 100 percent zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleets by 2040. “We are proud to congratulate AVTA in reaching this significant zero-emission milestone and setting the pace for agencies across America, said Chris Stoddart, president, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “With our fully accessible MCI electric coaches, AVTA is leveraging enhanced regenerative braking and high-energy batteries to provide emission- free urban commuting – and together –we are delivering cleaner, quieter mobility in North Los Angeles County.”
MCI’s D45 CRT LE CHARGE was launched in May 2021. It features high-torque electric drive systems for operation at highway speeds, up to 170 miles of range, and plug-in battery charging to 100 percent in less than four hours. The D45 CRT LE CHARGE also exhibits design advancements of the next generaton D-Series, introduces MCI’s innovative low-entry vestibule, and integrates proven CHARGE technology propulsion from New Flyer.
