Proposal:

Issue RFP to Develop and Demonstrate a Hybrid-Electric Transit Bus Using Clean Fuels

Synopsis:

Transit buses emit high NO_x and particulate emissions because of their weight, loading and operating cycle. Hybrid-electric buses, using electric drivetrains and on-board engine-alternators called auxiliary power units (APUs), have demonstrated extremely low emissions. This occurs because the APU operates at high efficiency with low emissions and may use a clean fuel. This action is to issue an RFP to expedite the introduction of this technology into transit buses. Proposed AQMD funding for this $1,000,000 project is $500,000.

Committee:

Technology, January 17, 1997, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Issue RFP #9697-30 to develop and demonstrate a hybrid-electric bus using clean fuels, for an amount not to exceed $500,000.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

In the South Coast Air Basin, there are approximately 4,500 transit buses in operation. Most are powered by diesel-fueled engines and have high NO_x and particulate emissions because of their weight, loading and operating cycle. Over the last 20 years, the ARB and US Environmental Protection Agency have reduced transit bus emissions by requiring that new buses meet increasingly stringent standards. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Orange County Transportation Authority have also introduced transit buses powered by clean fuels yielding less than one-half the NO_x and 10% of the particulate of equivalent-model diesel-fueled buses.

During the last eight years, a number of government initiatives by the AQMD, ARB, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Energy, Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA), US Department of Commerce and others have led to the development of battery-powered electric buses, hybrid-electric buses and other supporting technology. Hybrid-electric buses are electric buses which also have an on-board engine and alternator called an auxiliary power unit . This APU supplies electricity and increases the bus range beyond the capacity of the battery pack. However, the APU has exhaust emissions.

In several field projects in the US and foreign countries, hybrid-electric buses have demonstrated very low emissions. This occurs because the APU operates at high-efficiency with a usually steady speed and load. Certain demonstrations have utilized natural gas or propane fuel yielding extremely low emissions. Some hybrid-buses operate in the all-electric mode during part of their routes with no noxious fumes, smells or emissions and little operating noise. Overall, these projects have contributed technical knowledge regarding APU control strategies, APU emission controls, electric-motor braking which recharges the battery pack (regenerative braking), electrical energy storage and general hybrid-electric bus design. It appears that commercial hybrid-electric buses are feasible and desirable by transit agencies because of reduced fuel consumption and the potential for environmentally friendly operation.

Proposal

An RFP is proposed to solicit a cost-shared project for the development and demonstration of a pre-production, commercially viable hybrid-electric bus. This demonstration will incorporate the technical knowledge and experience of previous hybrid-electric bus projects. The design will use a state-of-the-art APU, APU control strategy and emission controls as well as a clean fuel such as propane, natural gas or methanol. High-energy advanced batteries may be used for added all-electric range. A transit bus manufacturer that has the potential to manufacture such a bus will also actively participate in the project. This demonstration should lead to the final design of a production low-emission hybrid-electric bus which is acceptable to transit properties and other bus operators.

The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on October 11, 1996, as Project M1-4. "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Technologies for On-Road Applications." The major benefit of this project is to assist transit bus manufacturers in developing low-emission, hybrid-electric propulsion technology. This will result in significant reductions of NOx and particulate emissions with the potential for reduced operating costs and quieter operation.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be published in the following publications: The Black Voice News, Chinese Daily News, Eastern Group Publications, El Chicano, The Excelsior, Inland Empire Hispanic News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Korea Central Daily, La Opinion, La Voz, Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles Times, M/W/DVBE Source, Orange County Register, Philippine News, Precinct Reporter, Rafu Shimpo, Riverside Press Enterprise, the San Bernardino Sun, and the State of California Contracts Register. Additionally, potential bidders will be identified through Los Angeles County’s Directory of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Directory of Certified Firms published by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; the Caltrans electronic bulletin board listing of Disadvantaged and Women Business Enterprises; the AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Copies of the RFP will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and will be placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov] and on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line.

Bid Evaluation

Due to the particular importance of technical qualifications in awarding advanced technology contracts, staff has proposed in the RFP to weight a significant portion of the cost component of the scoring by technical strength, in effect a form of cost effectiveness. This form of scoring differs from the general practice of using total costs as the sole criterion, which the Board’s Consultant Selection Policy may be interpreted to call for. This change was brought to the attention of the Technology Committee, which approved this revision.

Proposition 209 Compliance

It is AQMD policy to award additional points or cost benefits for minority-owned, woman-owned, and/or disabled veteran-owned business enterprises. On November 5, 1996 California voters approved Proposition 209 which prohibits discrimination or granting preferential treatment based upon race, ethnicity, color, sex or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. (Proposition 209 does not address disabled veteran-owned business enterprises.) On December 16, 1996, the Federal District Court issued an order applicable to all government agencies in California prohibiting enforcement of Proposition 209. Therefore, the AQMD’s existing policy remains in effect. Should the status of the law change at any point during the process of issuing an RFP or RFQ or entering into a contract pursuant to a previously issued RFP or RFQ, the AQMD will abide by the law in effect at the time the action is taken and any RFP or RFQ will be deemed modified to comply with existing law and any provisions in conflict with existing law will not be enforced.

Resource Impacts

The total shared cost of this project is expected to exceed $1 million; AQMD’s share will not exceed $500,000. There is sufficient funding in the FY 1996-97 budget.

Attachment

RFP #9697-30, Develop and Demonstrate a Hybrid-Electric Transit Bus Using Clean Fuels