Allison Transmission announced that the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) is applying its recent $19 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 2023 Low or No Emission and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Programs toward expanding its fleet of 40-foot GILLIG buses equipped with the Allison eGen Flex electric hybrid propulsion system. The new buses will replace older vehicles in IndyGo’s fleet with clean, quiet, modern transportation that will help reduce emissions and improve air quality and service reliability.

“Receiving this money for these buses will further the progress we’ve already made as we work to continually reduce harmful emissions in the downtown core of Indianapolis,” said Inez Evans, president and CEO of IndyGo. “We’re grateful for these funds and the continued support from the FTA in helping empower us to come closer to reaching our near-zero emissions goals and safely move Indianapolis forward.”

The Allison eGen Flex is capable of operating up to 50% of a bus’s route in engine-off mode. The system’s electric-only mode is activated through geofencing technology and eliminates engine emissions and noise while loading and unloading passengers and when operating in pre-defined dense pedestrian areas and zero-emission zones, Allison Transmission said. To date, electric hybrid buses that IndyGo has put into service have saved over 20,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions and over 2,000,000 gallons of diesel fuel, according to IndyGo.

“We’re honored to play a critical role in advancing clean public transportation in Indianapolis and supporting IndyGo’s sustainability goals,” said Rohan Barua, vice president, North America sales, global channel and aftermarket at Allison Transmission. “Allison has been manufacturing electric hybrid propulsion solutions for the transit market for nearly 20 years, and we remain committed to collaborating with transit agencies nationwide to support them in their transition to net-zero emissions technology.”