Corporate
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The Plug-in Hybrid Electric School Bus Project is a collaborative effort led by Advanced Energy to transform the nation’s school bus market by introducing plug-in hybrid technology. Already, the project has led to the delivery of buses across the nation, two of which were delivered in North Carolina in May 2007. BackgroundHybrid bus technology offers benefits ranging from cutting operation costs, to improving air quality, especially in areas experiencing non-attainment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality standards, improving the health of school children who presently ride diesel powered school buses. Feasibility studies suggest that hybrid buses can be less costly to operate. Actual operation of a fleet of such buses, however, is being gathered to verify this. Operating costs for hybrid vehicles are shown to be lower, both in fuel savings and in maintenance costs, particularly with plug-in hybrids. This feasibility study will help in fully understanding the life cycle costs of hybrid buses. Recent medical studies highlight the dangers of particulate pollution of the sort produced by diesel bus engines. Particulate matter has recently been highlighted in several reports as a serious concern on school buses, causing problems ranging from increased cases of illness to lung cancer. Removing this type of exposure is the number one benefit of hybrid bus technology. Hybrid School Bus as Pilot Program Advanced Energy advocates using plug-in hybrid electric school buses because:
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