Environmental Performance Vehicles (EPV), previously DesignLine Corporation, is a manufacturer of coach, electric and range-extended electric (hybrid) buses. It was founded in Ashburton, New Zealand in 1985. Initially it was a manufacturer of tour coaches. In the 1990s it diversified into conventional transit buses and then added hybrid city buses in the late 1990s. It was acquired by American interests in 2006, and DesignLine Corporation's headquarters was relocated to

Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 United ...

. Following a bankruptcy in 2013, the assets of DesignLine were sold and the company was renamed. EPV is no longer affiliated with the DesignLine operations in New Zealand, which was placed in liquidation in 2011 and then sold to a Malaysian-controlled joint business venture who operate it under the name DesignLine Bus Pacific, which was renamed Global Bus Ventures (NZ) on 30 May 2016.

Bankruptcy

As DesignLine, it filed for protection under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on August 15, 2013. The case was subsequently transferred to North Carolina. They employed over 250 people in the city of Charlotte. Katie Goodman, Managing Partner of GGG Partners, LLC was retained as Chief Restructuring Officer of the corporation just prior to the filing. On October 28, 2013, Wonderland Investment Group Inc. acquired most of the assets of DesignLine in an auction. Several key issues of the bankruptcy - including a class action suit for wrongful termination by DesignLine employees and the potential termination of a contract with the Denver Regional Transportation District - are set to be decided on January 14, 2014. Wonderland renamed the company EPV in January 2014.

EcoSaver hybrid bus

One of the vehicles within EPV's fleet is the EcoSaver, a range-extended electric hybrid bus. The EcoSaver is plug-in sodium battery powered backed up by an on-board diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) turbine engine. The bus is 100% emissions free. Unlike other hybrid buses, the on-board engine does not run vehicle systems as the battery depletes. Rather the turbine produces electricity that recharges the batteries. The turbines are supplied by Capstone Turbine of Chatsworth, California. This vehicle was first used from December 1998 in

Christchurch Christchurch (; ) is the largest city in the South Island and the List of cities in New Zealand, second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of , and a metropolitan population of over hal ...

, New Zealand, branded as The Shuttle. The bus was originally designed as a response to the international tender for ecological buses to be used in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This first-of-its-kind technology has been deployed in a number of fleets as the process has been tested and improved. Recent testing at the Bus Testing and Research Center at Penn State University show a substantial improvement in fuel economy over traditional buses. The EcoSaver will also be included as part of a national research effort coordinated by th
National Renewable Energy Lab
(NREL) to yield performance data on clean fuel vehicles. The bus plugs in to recharge, and captures energy from regenerative braking technology. The bus does not need proprietary charging infrastructure. Simple industrial grade electrical access is all that is required. The buses can travel more than 100 miles between charges. Numerous demonstration fleets of EcoSaver vehicles have been deployed worldwide since 1998. The DesignLine electric drive system has undergone several major development cycles, with the fourth generation North American system now in production. The EcoSmart is in service internationally in Australia and Abu Dhabi UAE. The Société de Transport de Laval in Quebec, Canada is currently testing the EcoSmart for use in its fleet.

Electric vehicle

DesignLine's EcoSmart is an all-electric bus powered by sodium batteries, and based on the established EcoSaver drive train system.

Coach vehicle

DesignLine's EcoCoach is a high floor, single door bus powered by either compressed natural gas (CNG) or diesel fuel. The bus is built on a lightweight frame that lowers overall vehicle weight and improves fuel economy. The bus is designed for long routes with infrequent stops, such as intercity routes, or limited access transit routes (i.e. Park and Ride). DesignLine had a contract with New Jersey Transit to supply the agency with 76 EcoCoach buses by May 2013. The EcoCoach is also the first 45-foot CNG coach to complete testing at the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center.

Products

DesignLine markets the following buses:

Usage

Currently, Designline/EPV buses are used in revenue service in five countries worldwide.

United States

Current operators * New Jersey Transit on the 63, 64, 67, and 68 lines between Toms River, Lakewood, Freehold, Old Bridge, and Newark/Jersey City/Hoboken. Current fleet is retired due to Designline bankruptcy. * RTD,

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

, CO - RTD currently operates two EcoSaver IV vehicles modified for the 16th Street Mall shuttle. An order for additional buses was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of DesignLine.

Canada

* Société de transport de Laval (1 unit)

New Zealand

Auckland Auckland ( ; ) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and ...

** NZ Bus ***North Star ***GO WEST ***Metrolink ***Waka Pacific ** Birkenhead Transport ** Ritchies ** Howick and Eastern ** SkyBus ** Pavlovich Coachlines ** Go Bus Transport *

** Leopard Coachlines ** Red Bus Ltd ** Go Bus Christchurch * Tauranga ** Go Bus Transport *

Dunedin Dunedin ( ; ) is the second-most populous city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from ("fort of Edin"), the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of S ...

** Ritchies Transport ** Passenger Transport Citibus * Hamilton *

Hastings Hastings ( ) is a seaside town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in East Sussex on the south coast of England, east of Lewes and south east of London. The town gives its name to the Battle of Hastings, which took place to th ...

and Napier *

Palmerston North Palmerston North (; , colloquially known as Palmerston or Palmy) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatū Plains, the city is near the north bank of the Manaw ...

Wellington Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand (second largest in the North Island ...

** GO Wellington ** Valley Flyer

Australia

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

* Mackay, Qld *

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

Other countries

*Tokyo, Japan *

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne, or simply Newcastle ( , Received Pronunciation, RP: ), is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is England's northernmost metropolitan borough, located o ...

, United Kingdom ** Stagecoach - one Olymbus diesel-electric bus was evaluated in 2004, this bus became one of ten Olymbus buses for QuayLink bus service in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead and they were operated from 22 July 2005 until being replaced by Optare Versa from 10 August 2010. This was due to difficulty coping with hills on the route.

References

External links

*
ECOSaver IV
— '' Hybrid electric bus''. {{North American bus builders Bus manufacturers of the United States Bus manufacturers of New Zealand Electric vehicle manufacturers of the United States Electric bus manufacturers Hybrid electric bus manufacturers Trolleybus manufacturers Companies based in Charlotte, North Carolina Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1985 New Zealand companies established in 1985 2013 disestablishments in New Zealand Ashburton, New Zealand Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2014 2014 establishments in North Carolina