Advanced Vehicle Systems Incorporated

To describe this company, it would be best to refer to its own company profile. The following passage was downloaded from its website http://www.avsbus.com when I did the study in 2005. However, the website is not available at the time of writing.

Advanced Vehicle Systems, Inc. was established in December 1992 and began construction of its first 22-foot battery powered electric bus in February 1993. Advanced Vehicle Systems, Inc. is to our knowledge the largest manufacturer of electric transit buses in the United States and may very well be the largest globally. AVS has manufactured and shipped in excess of 100 electric buses to domestic locations as far north as Portland, Maine and as far south as Miami Beach, Florida.

Additionally, AVS has shipped internationally to San Jose, Costa Rica and Cairo, Egypt. In April 1998 AVS was awarded a new contract with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, adding larger 12-year heavy duty, low floor hybrid electric buses to the product line. The contract called for three 35-foot and seven, 30-foot Hybrid-Electric buses. These buses are a direct replacement for existing diesel buses.

These long-range vehicles provide state of the art drive train and battery management technology, utilize ultra low emission Capstone Microturbines as the hybrid power source, and seat 31 and 39 passengers respectively. AVS began production for the AVS30/35 and AVS40 in early 2001.

All buses manufactured by AVS are purpose built utilizing space frame chassis construction. AVS has utilized both DC drive components and AC drive components. Along with the experience gained with these various high voltage drive systems; AVS has incorporated batteries from numerous manufacturers including different chemistries providing us with the knowledge and experience necessary to be the industry leader. AVS is the recognized leader in electric bus technology, and continues the trend by developing even more advanced systems utilizing ultra-capacitor energy systems. AVS is a charter participant in the United States Defense Department’s Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). DARPA projects have allowed AVS to quickly advance the technology of electric transit vehicles.

These projects have included the integration of the Delco hybrid drive system, integration of microturbine technology into mobile applications, application of two rapid charging technologies, and development and integration of maintenance free battery systems into electric and hybrid-electric bus applications.

Additionally, a DARPA project funded through the Northeast Alternative Vehicle Consortium (NAVC), addressed the cold weather requirements for the northeastern United States as applied to electric transit vehicles. It greatly improved the efficiency and performance of the electric transit vehicle technology.

AVS’s experience and success, combined with increased demand for its products have led to the expansion of manufacturing and distribution facilities. AVS now operates from a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility located on 45 acres in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This facility provides AVS with the capability to meet high volume industry demands for quality electric and hybrid-electric bus technologies.

AVS also is a participant in Chattanooga’s Living Laboratory. The Living Laboratory consists of the Electric Transit Vehicle Institute (ETVI) as a reporting/research body, the Chattanooga Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) as an end user and AVE as a manufacturer. Participation in the Living laboratory allows AVS to place advanced product in a transit operation to evaluate how new technology works in the real world.

AVS has been directly involved in DARPA projects with four (4) of the original six (6) regional coalitions formed to receive DARPA funding. To our knowledge no other organization has been embraced by the coalitions in the manner AVS has. At the ceremony where future congressional funding for the DARPA Electric Vehicle Program was handed over to the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Transportation, AVS was the only electric bus manufacturer requested to have a bus on display.

Former US Secretary Pena and US Secretary Slater, as well as US Deputy Defense Secretary Glaser, inspected the AVS Hybrid-Electric Bus and commended AVS and the transit agency (CARTA) for their leadership in Advanced Transportation Technology.

AVS has recently been recognized by the Calstart/Westart Advanced Transportation Coalition in southern California for its leadership role in developing the Electric/Hybrid Electric Bus market by awarding AVS the Coalition’s Blue Sky Merit Award.

TECHNOLOGY:
All buses manufactured by AVS are purpose built. They utilize a light-weight space frame chassis designed specifically to accommodate the latest in electric and hybrid-electric technologies. Since our inception we have had a mission to develop and manufacture advanced technology transit buses. Our continual participation in numerous developmental programs is shown by the fact that we have more electric and hybrid-electric buses in service than any other manufacturer in the world.

AVS is the recognized leader in advanced technology transit buses. By using state-of-the-art energy and thermal management systems, AVS brings together the latest technologies to manufacture a bus that has ultra-low emissions, exceptional acceleration, power and high fuel economy.

SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS:
The Capstone MicroTurbine is the only heavy duty bus engine on the market today that meets the stringent 2004 California Air Resources Board standards. This engine will operate on CNG, LNG, PG or diesel.

The EVI ICS-200B Wall Interface Box utilizes a UL approved Avcon level-2 connector to slow charge the bus overnight. It is completely automated – just plug it in, walk away and the EVI Interface Box handles the rest. A single-phase 220V line on a 50amp breaker is all it needs.

Utilizing two 100HP UQM permanent magnet motors, the AVS 32’ bus line has 200HP at an incredible 92% efficiency. The liquid cooled motors can also operate as generators during regenerative breaking. Low maintenance and a proven technology in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle applications make UQM motors and excellent choice.

Tuthill supplies the front axel for all AVS buses. This independent front suspension system provides a superior ride and tight turning radius.

Trans/Air Manufacturing provide the all-electric, high efficiency climate control system for AVS buses. Available in either a 72kBTU or 144kBTU configuration, maximum cooling capability is provided. Additionally, the system acts as a heat pump for cool weather applications. The Success-I is hard lined with all copper tubing.

This means that there are no hoses that can break, the number of fault points have been minimized and the majority of the Trans/Air System is hard wired. The Trans/Air System is low maintenance and a proven technology in our industry.

ENOVA A/C drive motors and motor controllers are used for the AVS22 and the AVS38. In the AVS22, ENOVA controllers provide 180kW of peak power (241 hp) at zero RPM to the motors. The AVS38 is equipped with an ENOVA controller and a 240kW of peak power (322 hp) at zero RPM. The liquid cooled ENOVA 240kW motor can also operate as a generator during regenerative braking. These low maintenance motors are a proven technology in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle applications.

ELECTRIC/HYBRID-ELECTRIC BUSES:
AVS began manufacturing medium-duty 22-foot electric transit buses nearly a decade ago and rapidly became the world's largest manufacturer of electric buses. Since that time, AVS has maintained the lead in the development of advanced technology electric and hybrid-electric transit buses and now manufactures 12-year heavy-duty buses up to 40-feet in length. Through the use of advanced technologies such as microturbine engines, direct and wheel drive electric motors, advanced battery chemistries, super capacitors, and fully integrated energy management systems, AVS products are some of the most efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles in the world today.

Advanced Vehicle Systems AVS22

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Page created: 26 April 2009