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Motor Coach Industries (MCI) has unveiled the new zero-emission, battery-electric J4500 CHARGE coach. The J4500 CHARGE—a zero-emission version of the industry’s best-selling J series tour and charter luxury coaches—leverages EV technology from New Flyer and delivers over 200 miles of range, while also delivering enhanced safety features.
“NFI has pushed EV and automated innovation forward, and today we achieve another milestone in our technology roadmap through the launch of MCI’s first battery-electric luxury coach,” said NFI President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Soubry. “With the unveiling, MCI further expands NFI’s market-leading portfolio of zero-emission vehicles and continues our ability to lead the ZEvolution.”
MCI J4500 CHARGE coach
MCI’s J4500 CHARGE incorporates advanced technology to power its high performance, including optimized battery placement for weight distribution and handling; enhanced regeneration for energy recovery and greater efficiency; exceptional torque and gradeability for smoother, more powerful operation; and next generation, ethically sourced, high-energy batteries that deliver over 200 miles of range.
The new J4500 CHARGE™ is perfectly suited for use by tour and charter, employee shuttle, and executive coach operators looking to lower their emissions and total operating costs while maintaining the luxury and passenger experience that has defined MCI for decades.
MCI J4500 CHARGE coach
“Our J4500 CHARGE was made for high performance through unmatched design, with each detail developed to provide an exceptional passenger experience while supporting zero-emission travel with clean, safe, reliable mobility,” said NFI North America Bus and Coach President Chris Stoddart. “With fully customizable interiors, the industry’s best warranty coverage, and expert infrastructure support offered through NFI’s Infrastructure Solutions team, the J4500 CHARGE is leading the next generation of travel.”
The J4500 CHARGE features brighter, more spacious interiors with industry-leading legroom. Parts support is provided by NFI subsidiary NFI Parts, North America’s largest parts supplier, with training offered by the industry’s only ASE-accredited training center, MCI Academy. Further training and workforce development support is provided through NFI’s Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), North America’s first and only innovation lab dedicated to the advancement of bus technology. The VIC now offers detailed virtual sessions to allow operators and drivers to increase their EV and AV training.
“We successfully completed prototype testing of our J4500 CHARGE in 2018, and since then have continued rigorous field testing of MCI’s battery-electric performance to prove operation through virtually any condition,” said MCI Vice President of Private Sector Sales and Marketing Brent Maitland. “And, not only do our EVs include the industry’s best warranty at 30 months, they are supported by NFI’s field tech army—North America’s most extensive bus and coach service and support network – with 24/7 roadside assistance to support operators any time of day.”
New Flyer and MCI will deliver J4500 CHARGE electric coach training through a no-cost virtual session hosted July 7, 2021, through the VIC.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
[05.24.21]
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National Limousine Association (NLA) officially launched its new campaign called On the Road Again last week to spur the return of travel, especially business travel. NLA President Robert Alexander kicked off the campaign via Facebook Live, which is available here, and the toolkit is ready here. (Note that the campaign is open to NLA members only.)
NLA President Robert Alexander
Designed to allow NLA members to promote their businesses’ high levels of quality, safety, and service provided every day, the campaign offers a free customizable video and supporting material and information on digital and social media marketing, media outreach, and much more.
During the livestream, Bill Faeth of Limo University issued his own challenge to NLA members to customize the NLA-provided video and spend $1 per day for 21 days to advertise to their targeted market on Facebook. The more members who participate, the more visibility the video will get for the campaign, which will hopefully lead to more travel.
Alexander recognized the efforts of the NLA's Public Relations Committee, EVINS Communications, Chris Wharton, and Bill Faeth who made this campaign a reality.
Bill Faeth of Limo University 
All of the details on the campaign are available on the NLA’s website under the “resources” tab, and any questions can be sent to info@limo.org.
The NLA’s Women’s Leadership Council also announced that the next webinar in its series will be Structure Your HR and Handbook for Success, which will be held on May 25 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers for this session, including Amy Cooley of LMC People, Douglas Rowe of law firm Certiman Balin Adler & Hyman, and Karen Hoban and Alex Jokich of Paychex, will cover the updates that all companies need to navigate COVID-related changes in staffing, creating policies, and more. The session is free for all NLA members; non-members can join for $25. Click here for more information.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[05.18.21]
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Fully vaccinated? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that you can now drop the mask outdoors and in most indoor situations. The updated guidance was issued on May 13. “Fully vaccinated” applies to those who are at least two weeks post-receipt of the final shot in the course of their vaccination (two shots for Moderna and Pfizer; one shot for J&J Janssen). Those who are vaccinated but also have conditions that compromise their immune system, such as those undergoing cancer treatment, are recommended to continue masking when social distancing is not practical.
If you’ve been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC:
- You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
- If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
- You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States.
- You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
- You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID before boarding an international flight to the United States.
- You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
- You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
- However, if you live or work in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter and are around someone who has COVID, you should still get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.
For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC:
- You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace and local businesses.
- If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the U.S., and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. President Joe Biden extended his executive order for wearing masks on public transportation (including air) through at least September 13, 2021.
- You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
- People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities.
Whether this is welcomed or anxiety-inducing news, one thing is for sure: The new CDC guidelines are raising a lot of questions for individuals and businesses alike. When the updates were announced, retailers such as Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart said that they would be dropping the mask requirement in their stores where the state or local regulations allow for it. Other retailers like Home Depot, Kroger, and Macy’s said they would continue to monitor the situation before relaxing their masking policies.
Remember that your state and local mandates apply and supersede the CDC guidance. For example, our own state of New Jersey will eliminate the outdoor mask requirement, but has kept the indoor mask requirement for the time being. Meanwhile, neighboring states New York and Pennsylvania are opting to follow the updated CDC guidance and will relax the mask mandate indoors as early as May 19. Cities and municipalities may also have their own requirements that should be followed. Be sure to check and continue to follow your local rules.
[05.17.21]