Environmental Performance Vehicles
Product brand
UnclaimedA bus manufacturer formerly known as DesignLine Corporation, specializing in coach, electric, and range-extended electric transit vehicles.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Environmental Performance Vehicles (EPV), formerly DesignLine Corporation, is a bus manufacturer whose activities have centered on coach buses, conventional transit vehicles, battery-electric buses, and range-extended electric hybrid buses. The enterprise originated in Ashburton, New Zealand, in 1985 as a builder of tour coaches. During the 1990s it broadened its portfolio into conventional transit buses and subsequently developed hybrid city-bus technology. Its later identity was closely associated with the EcoSaver and EcoSmart product families, which used electric drive systems and sodium-based battery technology for lower-emission public transport applications. A central development in the company's history was the creation of a range-extended electric architecture. The EcoSaver was designed to operate primarily from a plug-in battery system, with an onboard diesel or compressed-natural-gas turbine generator used to produce electricity and recharge the batteries rather than directly powering the vehicle systems in the conventional hybrid manner. Regenerative braking supplemented the charging system, while the buses could use ordinary industrial electrical access rather than a proprietary charging network. The architecture was intended to combine the operating characteristics of an electric bus with the range and energy flexibility of a generator-equipped vehicle. Capstone Turbine supplied the turbines used in the system. The technology first entered service in Christchurch, New Zealand, in December 1998 under the name The Shuttle. Its development was connected to an international tender for environmentally oriented buses for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. EPV and its predecessor organizations subsequently placed demonstration vehicles in several countries and continued refining the electric-drive system through multiple development generations. The fourth-generation North American system was described as being in production, and testing at the Bus Testing and Research Center at Pennsylvania State University was cited as showing improved fuel economy compared with traditional buses. The company also participated in clean-vehicle research connected with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In 2006 the business was acquired by American interests, and the headquarters of DesignLine Corporation moved from New Zealand to Charlotte, North Carolina. From the United States it pursued transit and coach contracts, including a significant order from New Jersey Transit for 76 EcoCoach buses and work involving the Denver Regional Transportation District. The EcoCoach was a high-floor, single-door vehicle intended for longer routes and limited-stop services. It was offered with diesel or compressed-natural-gas power and used a lightweight frame intended to reduce vehicle weight and fuel consumption. The model was reported to be the first 45-foot CNG coach to complete testing at the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center. DesignLine filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on August 15, 2013. The case was initially filed in Delaware and later transferred to North Carolina. The company employed more than 250 people in Charlotte at the time. Katie Goodman of GGG Partners was retained as chief restructuring officer shortly before the filing. In October 2013, Wonderland Investment Group acquired most of the company's assets at auction. The acquired business was renamed EPV in January 2014. The post-bankruptcy EPV identity should be distinguished from the former New Zealand DesignLine operations. The New Zealand operation entered liquidation in 2011 and was later sold to a Malaysian-controlled joint venture. That business operated as DesignLine Bus Pacific and was renamed Global Bus Ventures (NZ) on May 30, 2016. EPV therefore represents the successor to the American DesignLine operations rather than the continuing New Zealand company. The available reference material does not establish the company's present operating status, ownership beyond the 2013 asset sale, or a complete current product and customer roster.
History
Environmental Performance Vehicles traces its origins to DesignLine, a bus builder established in Ashburton, New Zealand, in 1985. The original business began with tour coaches before expanding during the 1990s into conventional transit buses. In the late 1990s it began adding hybrid city buses, establishing the technical direction that later defined the DesignLine and EPV brands. The company's most distinctive engineering program was its electric-drive bus platform. The EcoSaver used a plug-in sodium-battery system supported by an onboard diesel or compressed-natural-gas turbine. The turbine generated electricity to recharge the batteries, while regenerative braking recovered energy during operation. This differed from many conventional hybrid layouts in which an engine directly supports propulsion or vehicle systems as the battery charge falls. The first known service deployment occurred in Christchurch in December 1998, where the vehicle operated as The Shuttle. The concept had been developed in connection with an environmental-bus tender associated with the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After the first deployments, demonstration fleets were used in multiple markets while the electric-drive system went through successive development cycles. The company promoted the technology for transit fleets seeking lower emissions and improved fuel economy. Its EcoSmart was an all-electric bus derived from the EcoSaver drive train, while the EcoCoach addressed longer-distance and limited-stop routes with diesel or CNG propulsion. EcoCoach testing included the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center, where it was described as the first 45-foot CNG coach to complete the relevant testing program. American investors acquired the business in 2006, after which DesignLine Corporation relocated its headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina. The American operation pursued contracts with public transportation agencies. New Jersey Transit contracted for 76 EcoCoach buses, while Denver's Regional Transportation District operated two EcoSaver IV vehicles adapted for the 16th Street Mall shuttle. A planned additional Denver order was canceled after the bankruptcy. DesignLine buses and demonstrations also appeared in Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. DesignLine entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States on August 15, 2013. The filing was made in Delaware and the proceedings were later moved to North Carolina. The company employed more than 250 people in Charlotte. Katie Goodman, managing partner of GGG Partners, became chief restructuring officer shortly before the filing. Wonderland Investment Group purchased most of the assets at an auction on October 28, 2013. The successor operation was renamed Environmental Performance Vehicles, or EPV, in January 2014. The bankruptcy involved unresolved matters including a proposed class-action claim by former employees concerning alleged wrongful termination and questions surrounding a contract with Denver's regional transit authority. The supplied reference does not provide the final outcomes of those matters. The former New Zealand DesignLine operation followed a separate path: it entered liquidation in 2011, was sold to a Malaysian-controlled joint venture, operated for a period as DesignLine Bus Pacific, and became Global Bus Ventures (NZ) in 2016. The available sources do not confirm EPV's current trading status or provide a definitive present-day management roster.
- 2014
Successor renamed EPV
[1]The acquired successor business adopted the Environmental Performance Vehicles name in January.
- 2013
Chapter 11 filing
[1]DesignLine filed for U.S. Chapter 11 protection on August 15.
- 2013
Asset sale to Wonderland Investment Group
[1]Wonderland Investment Group acquired most of the company's assets at an October 28 auction.
- 2006
American acquisition and headquarters relocation
[1]American interests acquired the business, and DesignLine's headquarters moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.
- 2000
Environmental-bus technology linked to Sydney Olympics tender
[1]The early range-extended electric bus was developed in response to an international tender for ecological buses associated with the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
- 1998
EcoSaver enters service in Christchurch
[1]The first EcoSaver-related vehicle entered service in Christchurch in December under the name The Shuttle.
- 1990
Expansion into transit buses
[1]During the 1990s, DesignLine diversified from tour coaches into conventional transit buses.
- 1985
DesignLine founded in New Zealand
[1]The predecessor business was established in Ashburton, New Zealand, initially producing tour coaches.
Products and positioning
Low-emission and alternative-power public-transport vehicles combining bus manufacturing with electric-drive, battery, regenerative-braking, and range-extension technologies.
Range-extended electric hybrid bus · 1998
EcoSaver
The EcoSaver is a range-extended electric transit bus using a plug-in sodium-battery system, regenerative braking, and an onboard diesel or CNG turbine generator. The turbine produces electricity to recharge the battery rather than directly driving the bus in the conventional hybrid arrangement. Vehicles were designed to travel more than 100 miles between charges and could use ordinary industrial electrical connections. The platform was demonstrated and deployed in several countries, including the EcoSaver IV vehicles used by Denver's regional transit authority.
Battery-electric bus
EcoSmart
The EcoSmart is an all-electric bus based on the established EcoSaver electric-drive system. It uses sodium batteries and was positioned for zero-tailpipe-emission public transport applications. Reference material identifies service or testing in Australia, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and Laval, Quebec, although it does not establish the product's current availability.
Coach bus
EcoCoach
The EcoCoach is a high-floor, single-door bus designed for intercity, park-and-ride, and other limited-access or infrequent-stop routes. It was offered with diesel or compressed-natural-gas power and used a lightweight frame intended to reduce mass and improve fuel economy. DesignLine had a New Jersey Transit contract for 76 vehicles, and the model was reported to be the first 45-foot CNG coach to complete testing at the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center.
Controversies
2013
DesignLine Chapter 11 bankruptcy
DesignLine sought Chapter 11 protection in August 2013. The proceedings included questions concerning employee termination claims and the possible termination of a Denver transit contract. The supplied sources do not state the final resolution of those matters.
Brand decisions
2014
Rebrand the acquired business as EPVStrategyBackground
The asset purchaser sought to continue the acquired bus-manufacturing activities after the DesignLine bankruptcy.
Action taken
Wonderland Investment Group's successor operation adopted the Environmental Performance Vehicles name.
Aftermath
EPV became the name associated with the post-bankruptcy American business, distinct from the separately reorganized New Zealand DesignLine operation.
2013
File for Chapter 11 protectionOtherBackground
DesignLine faced financial distress while employing more than 250 people in Charlotte and carrying unresolved contractual and employment-related matters.
Action taken
The corporation filed for Chapter 11 protection on August 15, 2013; the case was later transferred to North Carolina.
Aftermath
Most assets were sold to Wonderland Investment Group at auction, and the successor was renamed EPV in January 2014.
2006
Move headquarters to the United StatesStrategyBackground
Following acquisition by American interests, the company sought to operate from the United States and pursue North American transit opportunities.
Action taken
DesignLine relocated its headquarters from New Zealand to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Aftermath
The company developed a larger U.S. presence and pursued contracts with agencies including New Jersey Transit and Denver's regional transit authority.
Sources1 sources
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