MCTS NOVA BUSES out of service

CrabbyMilton · September 12, 2023, 04:27:19 AM

This is an example of loving to tell the EV people I told you so. This happened last month and buses are pretty much brand new. They are expected to be back in service next month but we'll see. I have seen them driving around but not ridden in one thus far. Oh, they are powered by PROTERRA.

https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-county-electric-buses-temporarily-out-service

windtrader · September 12, 2023, 10:18:20 AM

Read on. Guess that didn't work out for them.

June 21, 2023 Announcement, Corporate
Nova Bus changes its business model and ends bus production in the US

Nova Bus is exiting bus production in the US market. Consequently, the company has decided to close its Plattsburgh manufacturing and delivery facility by 2025.
https://novabus.com/blog/2023/06/21/nova-bus-changes-its-business-model-and-ends-bus-production-in-the-us/

CrabbyMilton · September 12, 2023, 11:00:57 AM

At least the overall crappiness didn't rub off on PREVOST. MCTS was a longtime NEW FLYER customer and in recent years GILLIG. I guess they got hooked and now they have some lemons.

windtrader · September 12, 2023, 01:37:08 PM

Y'all know I a EV fanboy but it is disappointing but part of the natural capitalistic (/hybrid govt. partnerships) process on new markets; many try, few survive. It's still early days for mass rollout for public transportation and long haul, although Tesla Semi is very close and wise folk do not bet against Elon. He will lead the rest forward.

luvrbus · September 12, 2023, 03:58:55 PM

I went to the Vegas airport this morning and saw 3 of the Irizar ( Scania) buses I think they were electric but not sure,anyways the cops had traffic stopped and flagging you around because all three were broke down in traffic ,sharp looking buses 45 ft long with handicap ramps

RJ · September 13, 2023, 03:10:27 AM

Quote from: windtrader on September 12, 2023, 01:37:08 PM
Y'all know I'm an EV fanboy. . .

Don -

I'm sure you're well aware that the electrical grid infrastructure cannot handle the EV demand the politicians have bequeathed upon us.

Wind and solar won't cut it, when there's no wind and the panels are covered in snow, there goes your power. . .

Nuclear is well proven clean energy, but the NIMBY environmental wackos fearmonger us into shutting them down. . .

Look how CA's long drought drained the hydro-electric system. . .

East Coast Elites have NO clue how big the Western US is, let alone it's topographical complexity compared to the speed bump Appalachians . . .

A Tesla cannot make the normal 285 mile, five-hour drive from Spokane, WA to Seattle, WA on an 85º day with the A/C running driving into a headwind without having to stop for 90 - 120 minutes minimum to charge, and even then folks worry about making it because you still have to cross the Cascades. Come winter with freezing temperatures, rain and snow, with the wipers and heater running hot and heavy, now they have to stop two or three times to recharge, making that five hour trip closer to ten hours.

Imaging sitting at a charging station, it's 10º outside, the wind's howling and the snow's coming down, and because you've got the heater on to keep from freezing, it's now taking three-four times as long to charge your EV.

EVs are best for local puttering around, 50-100 miles/day in mild weather, charging at home overnite. But even then the current grid can't handle the loads if there are weather extremes.

On the other hand, a hybrid solves 80% - 90% of the EV's negatives, at the cost of not making the environmental wackos happy. Screw them - they haven't been right about climate change in over forty years.

Anyway, that's my take on it. . .

FWIW. . .

RJ

CrabbyMilton · September 13, 2023, 04:59:32 AM

RJ you're right on target with that perspective. You just say the word nuclear and people run to the basement and scream. Just because the old Soviet Union couldn't get it right back in the 1980's, doesn't mean we should scrap the whole thing over here nearly 40 years later. Years from now, we may have EV's that will allow you to snap it a smaller battery to give you an extra 100 or more miles. We are far from that point.
Just go back to those James Wang MOTORCOACH WORLD video's where he drove that VAN-HOOL across the country and see how lousy the charging was. That was in hot weather. Now imagine that scenario with cold and snow piled up around those charging stations. The display often is slow to respond in extreme cold and then even with gloves your fingers are hurting while trying to charge.

CrabbyMilton · September 13, 2023, 05:05:24 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 12, 2023, 03:58:55 PM
I went to the Vegas airport this morning and saw 3 of the Irizar ( Scania) buses I think they were electric but not sure,anyways the cops had traffic stopped and flagging you around because all three were broke down in traffic ,sharp looking buses 45 ft long with handicap ramps

Wow three broken down at once? EV or not that's not a good thing for the image.

chessie4905 · September 13, 2023, 07:14:51 AM

"speed bump Appalachians"...guess can be expected from western inhabitants.lol been out west. Just a little larger speed bumps.

luvrbus · September 13, 2023, 07:42:03 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on September 13, 2023, 07:14:51 AM
"speed bump Appalachians"...guess can be expected from western inhabitants.lol been out west. Just a little larger speed bumps.

Plus 120 degree temperature in the desert ,I could not believe people drove 100's of miles to be a part of the 130 degrees record temperatures in Death Valley this year, some folks are not real smart

freds · September 13, 2023, 10:29:38 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 13, 2023, 07:42:03 AM

Plus 120 degree temperature in the desert ,I could not believe people drove 100's of miles to be a part of the 130 degrees record temperatures in Death Valley this year, some folks are not real smart

Oh well think of it as "Evolution In Action"!!!!

chessie4905 · September 13, 2023, 11:48:51 AM

We drove through death valley while out there. 126° that day. A few hundred feet below sea level. And saw the gas station with the high fuel price. We were sure to have a full tank before crossing.

Van · September 13, 2023, 01:20:52 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 13, 2023, 07:42:03 AM

Plus 120 degree temperature in the desert ,I could not believe people drove 100's of miles to be a part of the 130 degrees record temperatures in Death Valley this year, some folks are not real smart

Must have been the same nuts that thought they were gonna storm area 51 and rescue ET.

CrabbyMilton · September 14, 2023, 04:09:14 AM

I remember that. HEHE sometimes I think that if they ever hold an open house at Area 51, you'll find buildings full of missing socks, pens and ice scraper/snow brushes. I mean where else do they go?

They have buses that take employees there every day for those that don't want to fly JANET AIRLINES. Plain white 737's with red stripes.

Van · September 14, 2023, 07:17:23 AM

Quote from: CrabbyMilton on September 14, 2023, 04:09:14 AM
I remember that. HEHE sometimes I think that if they ever hold an open house at Area 51, you'll find buildings full of missing socks, pens and ice scraper/snow brushes. I mean where else do they go? They have buses that take employees there every day for those that don't want to fly JANET AIRLINES. Plain white 737's with red stripes.

Let's not forget all those lost 10mm sockets