New venture could reduce fuel consumption

TM4 and Cummins have announced a joint venture towards developing a plug-in hybrid powertrain for Class 7/8 transit buses. This initiative is intended to reduce fuel consumption by at least 50% over conventional hybrid buses.

The project aims to provide transit authorities with a flexible, more efficient drivetrain and a long range zero emission capability for inner city routes.

As a world leader in electric powertrain development, TM4 equipped 5,000 buses in China last year. TM4’s expertise and real-road experience is seen as being instrumental in developing an optimised powertrain for plug-in transit buses.

With its particular expertise in internal combustion engines and related products, Cummins will be optimising the powertrain by selecting the engine with the best architecture to use as an electric commercial vehicle range extender, and using the engine to manage the charge level of the all-electric drive battery pack. The range extender will be integrated, using advanced vehicle controls, with the electrified powertrain and other applicable technologies.