Deployment case study

Challenge

Spread over 373 acres, Yale is a large research institution with over 13,000 students and more than 10,000 staff. As part of its carbon change programme, the university looked to reduce the carbon footprint of its campus shuttle service.

Solution

Yale worked with XL Fleet to upfit three Ford shuttle buses with XLH hybrid electric drive systems, converting the vehicles into more fuel-efficient hybrids. The conversion included electric motors and advanced lithium-ion battery packs to improve miles per gallon without compromising vehicle performance.

Simultaneously fitting XL Link™ data analytics systems meant that vehicle performance could be monitored and reported on.

Result

The hybrid shuttles delivered more than a 23% increase in fuel economy, exceeding Yale’s expectations for CO2 emissions reduction and fuel savings, and showing increased driver productivity with more miles driven per gallon.

Expanding impact

Converting the vehicles is projected to save 239 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, whilst delivering net operational savings of over $110,000 over their lifetime.

Promoting the cleaner, hybrid technology on the buses demonstrates the university’s commitment to sustainable practices to both students and faculty, and additional shuttles have been ordered to grow the hybrid fleet.