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UHS DELIVERS FOURTH HYBRID BUS TO LAX

Patented Hybrid Bus Built With Ford Chassis

UHS, LLC, ( Transteq ) has delivered its fourth patented series hybrid bus - the "FASTM Bus" - to the Los Angeles International Airport . The primary use of the FASTM Bus is as an airport shuttle transporting passengers and their luggage to and from rental car agencies and hotels. The FASTM Bus has a capacity of 15 passengers plus their luggage. Often, shuttle vehicles are currently a source of pollution at airports as they sit idling, waiting for passengers - often in enclosed, or partially enclosed, areas. Many airport customers have asked for clean, reliable, efficient transportation solutions. The FASTM Bus addresses this request.

Advanced hybrid-electric technology powers the FASTM Bus efficiently and with minimal emissions. The FASTM Bus helps reduce the harmful exhaust fumes that passengers breathe outside the airport.

The FASTM Bus is built on a Ford E450 chassis and we adapted a relatively small V-6 Ford engine to use cleaner-burning propane. The hybrid system is based upon technology currently used on the world's largest fleet of heavy-duty hybrid buses, which traverse Denver 's downtown transit mall and serve 60,000 passengers daily.  The result is a hybrid-electric vehicle that is helping reduce emissions in a major metropolitan city center.

About the UHS FASTM Bus Hybrid Technology

The FASTM Bus uses a generator driven by a Ford 4.2-liter engine operating on propane (LP) gas charges a pack of 28 lead-acid batteries with electricity to power the bus. The hybrid system captures energy normally wasted during idle, eliminates particulate emissions, uses regenerative braking to capture energy during braking to charge the batteries, and allows operation with the engine off (zero emission mode) in environmentally sensitive areas.

The entire driveline was modified to eliminate the transmission and replace standard components with an advanced axle and technology to maximize axle efficiency and performance. The axle is powered from the rear by the electric drive motor.

This allows the LP fuel tanks to be located forward of the axle between the frame rails, enhancing safety and system packaging while delivering power in the most efficient manner. The hybrid system allows a Ford V-6 engine fueled by LP gas to replace the standard V-10 gasoline engine, reducing emissions and fuel consumption. A specially designed body and interior completes the modification.

Recent automotive news reports regarding next generation vehicles have touted the upgrade from 12-volt to 42-volt systems to meet increasing power demands and raise electric efficiency. The FASTM Bus is miles ahead of the competition, with its electrical system delivering 370 volts (VDC) for maximum bus performance.

Prospective markets for FASTM Buses include mass transit, "pickup on demand" services, transportation for senior citizens, and other uses requiring medium-duty vehicles.