Hybird MCI Buses

[luvrbus]

I may regret it if I buy one  www.publicsurplus.com but I am going to bid on 1 of the 2009 Hybrid MCI buses that Houston is selling off they have less than a 1/2 million miles on them with the ISL Cummins engine and no DEF. I just cannot find out what type batteries they use for the Hybrid part. I know the Hybrid system only works at slow speed, anybody here have a Hybrid auto to explain how they work. I have it in my mind even if the electrical part goes bad the ISL Cummins and Allison are the primary source of power

[Brian R.]

   Well, I guess you didn't get one of these hybrids or we would have heard about it, I hope. It would have been interesting and you would have had the Cummins to boot.
   I've been driving 2stroke DD buses since 1966, and love them, but I live in Calif. so when my 6v71 bit the dust recently I had an idea. I priced all electric drivetrains--way out of my price-range--besides which they weren't for sale.  So I wrote up a proposal ( titled- "A Modest Proposal" -I doubt they got the reference) and sent it to the electric bus companies ( Proterra, BYD, CCW, Gillig, Lion, MCI, and even Tesla-Musk being a crazy might like the idea). The idea being ;  donate the powertrain, I'll install it (with or without you supervision or help), and you will have a classic old 1960 MCI as a PR tool. Paint graphics on the sides, arrange for me to drive to shows for publicity and public outreach, etc., etc.  Basically I be your b-tch for some defined extent by contract.  Nobody took the bait, que lastima, so I've installed a used 6v92 which seems to be in great shape.

   I'm retired and most of my trips are under 200 miles- and I'm usually not in a hurry anyway. I used to drive 65mph, now I'm quite comfortable at 55-60.  Previously I built a tiltable solar array on roof and could double it, not that it would be much help with drivetrain batteries (boondock in the sun for a week or more-do the math). Point being adjustments and patience needed until fast,fast charging available (10-20 years?)  Some of these buses claim 200-400 mile range under best circumstances. Proterra has had a bad time in Alberta,Canada,--but in 2022 they/ABC co. drove a TDX25E double decked 40ft Van Hool from Florida to Calif. averaging 260mi/charge using only public chargers.

   I pointed out in my proposal that some enterprising company is someday going to want to sell 30-40ft buses/motorhomes. It won't fit everyone's lifestyle but it is probably coming. Who knows if retrofits will be available for older buses. I've read all the comments on this BCM site on this subject, and all have been interesting and informative. All I really know is that the Calif.DMV registered me last February. What will happen next February is an open question. For now I'm enjoying the sweet sound of the 6v92.-----Cheers,....Brian R.
   

[freds]

Check out Edison motors...

https://www.youtube.com/@EdisonMotors

[CrabbyMilton]

Proterra has had a bad time in Alberta,Canada,--but in 2022 they/ABC co. drove a TDX25E double decked 40ft Van Hool from Florida to Calif. averaging 260mi/charge using only public chargers.

That trip the James Wang and crew took was very interesting, funny, and informative. A hybrid would be great in something like that. The bus actually worked very well. Great power but as it run low on juice, the AC would run sparingly if at all. Those public chargers were a joke and always a source of headaches for them. James took it all in stride.