Allison hybrid-propulsion system paired with Cummins's engine receives 2018 ARB certification

Allison Transmission Holdings and Cummins announced the certification from the California Air Resources Board (ARB) for the model year 2018 Allison Hybrid 40/50 Electric Propulsion (H 40/50 EP) system paired with the Cummins B6.7 and L9 diesel-electric hybrid engines used in transit buses and coaches.

Originally issued by the ARB in 2014, the dual executive order (EO) is required to be reviewed for renewed eligibility on a model year basis. The paired Allison electric hybrid-propulsion system and Cummins engine are used in both straight and articulated transit buses.

Allison H 40/50 EP

The Allison H 40/50 EP has been claimed to improve fuel economy by up to 25 percent over similar diesel buses. Additionally, it claims that its regenerative braking capability can significantly extend the brake change interval by as much as 350 percent. Greg Mann, director of mobile source emissions activities for Allison Transmission said, “Allison was the first electric hybrid-propulsion system to be certified in California for transit buses and coaches.”

Cummins' B6.7 Engine

The B6.7 diesel-electric hybrid engine is rated at 280 hp (209kW) while the L9 diesel-electric hybrid engine is rated at 330 hp (246kW) for the transit bus market. Brian Wilson, General Manager, Global Bus Business, Cummins said, “The latest Cummins and Allison clean diesel power system will provide our bus customers with an even more reliable and environmentally-friendly powertrain to help them be as successful as possible.”

Allison Transmission claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles and is a leader in electric hybrid-propulsion systems for city buses. With a market presence in more than 80 countries, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Hungary and India. Allison also has approximately 1,400 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide. 

Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins currently employs approximately 55,400 people worldwide and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and more than 7,400 dealer locations.