Enova Supplies First Hybrid Systems to Chinese Bus Maker, Says More to Follow

Enova Supplies First Hybrid Systems to Chinese Bus Maker, Says More to Follow

By John O'Dell August 10, 2009

China's First Auto Works, which builds trucks and buses as well as cars, has taken delivery of the first 70 of an order of 220 "pre-transmission" hybrid drive systems ordered from Enova Systems, the California-based  electric and hybrid drive-systems developer said this morning.

Enova , making the announcement on the eve of the Plug-In 2009 electric and plug-in hybrids conference that begins tomorrow in Long Beach, Ca., said it also has signed an agreement to supply 800 more of its parallel hybrid drive systems to FAW in 2010.

First Auto Works is using the systems in hybrid buses it is building as part of the Chinese government's initiative to produce 500,000 electric and hybrid vehicles over the next few years.

The Enova drive system ordered by FAW excludes the transmission, which the Chinese company is supplying itself. The "pre-transmission" system is to be used on FAW's Jiefang buses, which carry 103 passengers and can travel at up to 85 kilometers (53 miles) per hour.  

The buses,which FAW says meet Euro III emissions standards (a big improvement in China, but not so much in Europe, where they already are on Euro V standards, which are about 30 percent cleaner). That means, among other things, 20 percent fewer CO2 emissions than the non-hybrid Jiefeng bus.

Fuel consumption for the 12-meter (39.3-foot) bus with the hybrid drive is estimated at  30 liters per 100 kilometers, or 12.8 gallons per 100 miles.

Mike Staran, Enova's chief executive, said in a statement that he believes the deal with First Auto Works will solidify his  company as a top-tier provider capable of supplying major vehicle manufacturers globally.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.