(June 18, 2005) -- LB Transit is scheduled to become the first transit agency in the world to put production hybrid gasoline-electric buses into regular service on June 20, declaring that in testing, the hybrids beat Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses (chosen by other transit agencies years ago as a successor to diesel) on fuel efficiency, emissions and projected lifetime vehicle cost.

In a written release LB Transit's new hybrid buses -- decaled "E-Power" buses -- offer "superior gas mileage, dramatically cleaner tailpipe emissions and a quieter ride for passengers" and "will replace older ultra low-sulfur diesel buses in the Long Beach Transit fleet."

Similar to hybrid cars, E-Power buses "use a combination of gasoline and electricity to make them the cleanest, most fuel-efficient heavy-duty urban transit buses now available. In testing, they beat liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) -- chosen by many transit agencies several years ago as the successor to diesel -- on fuel efficiency, emissions and projected lifetime vehicle cost," said LB Transit in a written release.

The new hybrid buses use an electric ultra-capacitor storage unit on the roof - a new technology replacing the conventional battery used in automotive hybrids such as the Toyota Prius. LB Transit said in its release: