Plug-in Hybrid Electric School Bus Project
A Customized Approach to Evaluating School Bus Performance
Dynamometer Testing — Prior to manufacturing, Advanced Energy collaborated with IC Bus and Enova to test a prototype PHESB on a dynamometer to simulate on-road conditions. The conditions simulated in this testing were representative of typical school bus driving conditions for the majority of participating school districts. In-Use Monitoring — Advanced Energy has performed extensive in-use monitoring of the PHESBs by installing data logging equipment on plug-in hybrid and standard diesel control buses and monitoring them on their daily routes. Route Analysis — Advanced Energy has analyzed various bus routes to quantify aspects of specific routes that suggest a good fit for the PHESB application. By establishing the best parameters for optimal performance, the plug-in hybrid electric bus can maximize performance. Overall, PHESB performance has been varied, with some buses achieving a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy over a standard diesel bus, and others underperforming their standard diesel counterparts. The Knowledge Library section of the website contains links to our program reports, which summarize the results of our various testing activities.
Next Phase2009 marked a new phase in the PHESB project with a focus on monitoring bus performance. Going forward, Advanced Energy will conclude our research on the first-generation of buses and look toward the next generation. Advanced Energy will continue developing relationships with other school bus manufacturers to help diversify clean school bus options for school districts. We will also pursue other new opportunities in the school bus market, identifying new technologies that warrant independent testing. These projects will broaden the PHESB Program into a more general School Bus Testing Program that can benefit a larger variety of school districts. We believe the success of electric, plug-in and hybrid technologies depends on matching need with capability. It is in everyone’s best interest to deploy PHESBs where they will perform well and have a positive impact. Quantifying how and where plug-ins, hybrids and conventional buses make the most sense will enable districts to understand, justify, and make the best decisions for their fleets. If you and your district would like help evaluating your fleet performance, please contact Advanced Energy at 919-857-9000 or send an email to hybridschoolbus@advancedenergy.org |
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Advanced Energy has unique insight on the performance of school buses, gained largely through our work with the Plug-in Hybrid Electric School Bus Project. We have utilized in-lab dynamometer testing, in-use monitoring, and route analysis to evaluate the performance of the PHESBs.