New Flyer presents the Xcelsior® all-electric battery bus at the American Public Transit Association Expo in Houston, TX

WINNIPEG, Oct. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) (TSX: NFI.DB.U) New Flyer Industries Inc. ("New Flyer" or the "Company"), the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and Canada, unveiled today the addition of a zero-emission battery-electric propulsion system to its commercially available lineup of Xcelsior^® transit bus models at the American Public Transit Association Expo tradeshow in Houston, Texas.

The New Flyer battery-electric bus is the latest evolution of the highly successful Xcelsior heavy-duty transit bus platform. "We're very excited about the addition of the battery-electric propulsion XE40 to our proven bus portfolio," said Paul Soubry, New Flyer President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric trolley and fuel cell, our customers now have a commercially available and cost effective all-electric propulsion option that can integrate seamlessly with their existing transit fleet. We believe electrification of transit buses was not a matter of 'if', but rather 'when'."

With more than 4,400 Xcelsior buses delivered or on order throughout North America, New Flyer has demonstrated industry leading reliability, providing both passengers and drivers with safe, quiet and dependable public transportation. The XE40 features:

• A New Flyer integrated energy storage system,
• A Siemens electric drive system,
• Proven electric subsystems and accessories currently available on the Xcelsior hybrid variants, and
• Depot charging capability and an Eaton en-route conductive charging capability.

By replacing conventional mechanical power train systems, such as engines, transmissions fuel systems and complete exhaust after-treatment, with a high efficiency electric drive, the XE40 requires less maintenance throughout its life. The lithium ion battery packs have the ability to receive a partial recharge using a regenerative braking system, which is ideally suited for the typical start-and-stop duty cycle of a transit bus. Range is dependent on the unique operations and route structure of each customer with the capability of scalable battery capacities between 100 and 300 kWh.

"New Flyer has been the innovation leader for the North American heavy-duty transit industry for decades. We have more than 20 years of extensive experience with electric vehicle technology including hybrid buses, trolley buses, and fuel-cell hybrid buses," notes Chris Stoddart, New Flyer's Vice President of Engineering and Service. "We have designed the XE40 with public transit agencies in mind using components and systems that are Buy America compliant and are manufactured and supported by long time supply chain partners. The bus can be charged at a depot or utilize a single pantograph interface providing rapid en-route conductive charging that can be integrated into normal transit dwell times. This allows the bus to be operated with the same duty cycle as a conventional transit bus."

New Flyer's commitment to zero-emission fuel cell technology began in 1995 with the delivery of the first 40-foot hydrogen fuel cell bus in North America. The Company's zero-emission transit bus product line also includes electric trolley and battery-electric propulsion variants, a total of 362 which are in service today. In 2012, New Flyer unveiled its battery electric pilot bus, along with partners Manitoba Hydro, Red River College, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Manitoba Government and Winnipeg Transit.  The pilot bus has undergone extensive all weather service testing and in March 2014 it began shuttle service operation. 

To date, New Flyer has built six XE40's for North American customers, and expects five of them to enter service in the coming weeks. The sixth vehicle has commenced its FTA new bus model testing at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center in Altoona, PA.

As with all New Flyer buses, the XE40 is delivered with New Flyer's commitment to lifetime customer care, which includes a comprehensive product warranty, maintenance and operations training, spare parts and an extensive network of in-service support professionals.

About New Flyer
New Flyer is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and Canada.  The Company is the industry technology leader and offers the broadest product line of transit buses including drive systems powered by: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric trolley and now, battery-electric.  All buses are supported by an industry-leading comprehensive warranty and support program, and service network.  New Flyer also operates the industry's most sophisticated aftermarket parts organization, sourcing parts from hundreds of different suppliers and providing support for all types of transit buses.

The New Flyer group of companies employ over 3,000 team members with manufacturing, fabrication, parts distribution and service centers in both Canada and the United States.  Over 32,000 New Flyer and NABI heavy-duty transit buses are in operation today.  Further information is available on New Flyer's web site at www.newflyer.com.

The common shares and convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of the Company are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NFI and NFI.DB.U, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to expected future events and financial and operating results of the Company that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material.  Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including market and general economic conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services, there may be no demand for a battery-electric bus from customers, customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses, the ability of customers to terminate contracts for convenience and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  Due to the potential impact of these factors, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

SOURCE: New Flyer Industries Inc.

Jon Koffman, Investor Relations, Tel: [phone]