Clean Diesel Bus Project Led By BP

BP announced it has entered into an agreement to supply the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) with a cleaner burning diesel fuel for the agency's entire bus fleet.

At a news conference in Ann Arbor today, a ceremonial first gallon of BP ECD(R), Emissions Control Diesel, an ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel produced at BP's Toledo, Ohio refinery, was presented to the AATA. That gallon represents the first of nearly 1 million gallons of the cleaner burning fuel that will be used by AATA buses every year.

Known locally as "The Ride", the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority now operates the first public transit fleet in the Midwest to run exclusively on BP's ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.

"BP is pleased to be able to supply cleaner burning diesel to Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and to help reduce air pollution for the people of this community. Today is a good example of how government and companies can work together toward solutions to vital issues such as clean air in our cities." said Ross Pillari, President of BP America. "This new supply agreement with AATA represents the beginning of what we hope is a growing customer base in the Midwest," added Pillari.

The introduction of BP ECD to the Ann Arbor bus fleet marks an important step in the authority's efforts at reducing vehicle emissions. Use of ultra low sulfur diesel will result in an immediate 10 percent reduction in particulate emissions in the existing bus fleet. Later, as newer buses equipped with next generation engine management systems and particulate filters come into the AATA fleet, emission reductions from individual buses can reach 90 percent compared to earlier operations.

BP's ECD ultra low sulfur diesel is a specially formulated fuel produced in advance of federal standards for diesel fuels set to take effect in 2006. It is the alternative fuel of choice for fleets looking to avoid many of the performance and reliability issues related to vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

BP ECD has been supplied to bus fleets in California for more than two years and more recently as part of a pilot program in Cleveland, Ohio. Today's announcement marks the first full fleet use of ultra low sulfur diesel by a municipal bus fleet in the Midwest.

Headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Warrenville, IL, BP America is a unit of BP plc, a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy.

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