The IDOT contract is the result of a TIGGER Grant that the State of Illinois was awarded earlier this year. Those grants, in part, provide incentives to public transportation systems looking to acquire efficient, green technology to assist in the reduction of energy consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions.
Midwest Transit Equipment of Kankakee, Illinois will be the dealership for the contract. Midwest Transit Equipment also recently partnered with Azure on a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for up to 50 buses. StarTrans Bus will supply shuttle bodies for the IDOT buses.
The company claims that Azure Balance Hybrid Electric system has attributes like engine-off at idle and at below 20 miles per hour, while electronically supporting key ancillary functions like air conditioning, power steering and braking.
The drive train, with a Ford 5.4l engine, can improve fuel economy substantially, while reducing carbon emissions by up to 30% in city conditions. The hybrid drive train also offers a significant reduction in maintenance costs versus conventionally equipped competitors, the company added.
