It is a sad tale: Local bus manufacturer is bought by Daimler, manufactures hybrid bus design that sells well as far away as San Francisco and New York City. But in the home market of Toronto, they don't work well at all. The lead-acid batteries were supposed to last four years and are dying after 18 months, at a rate of 140 batteries per week. They are using only 10% less diesel fuel instead of the 20% to 30% saving that was promised. And they cost almost 50% more to purchase in the first place.
So what is the problem?