Non-profit requests information from manufacturers to begin production of hybrid electric school bus pilot fleet

RALEIGH – Advanced Energy is seeking Statements of Interest [SOI] to begin the production of a hybrid electric school bus [HESB] pilot fleet. SOI responses are encouraged from private entities that are qualified and experienced with the design, construction and production of school buses as well as partners that are qualified and experienced with the design, construction and production of hybrid drive systems. Advanced Energy is seeking responses of interest for producing a pilot fleet of at least 20 buses with hybrid drivetrain systems.

Recognizing the need for cleaner technology vehicles to provide for cleaner air, the HESB project is a step toward reducing mobile source emissions and improving on-bus air quality. The project aims to commercialize hybrid electric school buses in the school bus market in order to reduce fuel consumption and lower operation and maintenance costs for school districts requiring emission and fuel consumption reductions, while providing operating savings. Regional organizations, federal and state government agencies and universities have partnered to work with bus manufacturers to design and build a prototype hybrid electric bus fleet.

“Hybrid electric buses ultimately can help the United States meet increasingly strict air emissions standards of the future, provide a healthier environment for our citizens and help reduce our dependency on foreign energy,” said John Morrison, Advanced Energy’s vice president. “Additionally, they are a transitional technology to fuel cells. Adapting hybrid technology to school buses, however, requires market intervention, which is what this project aims to do.”

To date, the hybrid electric bus project has successfully brought together more than 10 percent of the North American school bus purchasing market, more than 60 percent of the school bus manufacturing sector and several governmental and community agencies to steer the project. The technical feasibility phase of the project has included modeling of the standard school bus and the hybrid electric buses in the U.S. Department of Energy’s ADVISOR modeling package, and shown the potential for significant fuel economy savings while reducing NO_x emissions by more than 80 percent and particulate matter emissions by more than 95 percent.

SOIs are due to Advanced Energy on March 22, 2005. For submission information, visit www.advancedenergy.org/hybridbus/.

Advanced Energy, located in Raleigh, N.C., is an independent nonprofit organization that creates economic and environmental benefits through innovative approaches to energy.