11 States Are First in the Nation to Receive Hybrid School Buses as
IC Corporation Awarded Bid by Advanced Energy Consortium
Corporation Works with Enova Systems to Supply First Hybrid
School Buses That Can Attain Up To 40 Percent Increase in Fuel Efficiency
RENO, Nev. (July 25, 2006) – Eleven states
will be getting a higher grade for investing in energy-efficiency
this school year. New York, California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa and Washington
will be the first states in the nation to receive hybrid school
buses. Through its Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Project, Advanced
Energy, a Raleigh, N.C.-based nonprofit corporation, initiated a
buyer’s consortium of school districts, state energy agencies and
student transportation providers. After issuing nationwide Request
for Proposals (RFPs) for hybrid school buses in June 2006,
Advanced Energy announced today at the 13th Annual School Transportation
News Expo that IC Corporation, the nation’s largest school bus manufacturer,
won the bid and will provide up to 19 hybrid school buses to those
11 states.
“This
project provides operational benefits to school districts, while
also providing the reduced emissions desired by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and a valuable return on investment to school
boards,” said Ewan Pritchard, P.E., Advanced Energy’s hybrid program
manager. “This bid award is the result of several years of collaborative
effort among manufacturers, school districts and government agencies
to change the school bus market.”
IC
Corporation, in collaboration with Enova
Systems, unveiled the nation’s first hybrid school bus two weeks
ago at the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT)
Show. The hybrid school bus is expected to attain a 40 percent increase
in fuel efficiency, which becomes even more essential with the rising
fuel costs affecting many school districts.
“With
fuel prices near all-time highs, new innovations in hybrid technology
are needed to help customers in the school bus industry keep their
operating costs lower,” said Michael Cancelliere, vice president
and general manager of IC Corporation. “We’re proud that Advanced
Energy recognizes the need to help our nation’s school districts
with energy-efficient school buses. In addition, even though current
International diesel engines on many existing school buses produce
no visible smoke and minimal emissions, the hybrid program will
reduce engine emissions even further.”
These
members of Advanced Energy’s buyers’ consortium are currently scheduled
to receive buses:
- North Carolina Department
of Public Instruction (2 buses)
- South Carolina Department
of Educations (2 buses)
- State of New York
(2 buses)
- Florida Department
of Education (2 buses)
- Napa Valley Unified
School District, Napa Valley, Calif. (1 bus)
- Durham School Services,
Everett, Wash. (1 bus)
- Lake Chelan School
District, Chelan, Wash. (1 bus)
- City of Seattle (1
bus)
- Little Rock, Ark.,
School District (1 bus)
- Sigourney Community
School District, Sigourney, Iowa (1 bus)
- Nevada Community Schools,
Nevada, Iowa (1 bus)
- Killeen Independent
School District, Texas (1 bus)
- Austin Independent
School District, Texas (1 bus)
- Fairfax County, Va.
(1 bus)
- Jennings Transportation,
Nazareth, Pa. (1 bus)
The
hybrid school bus project features Enova's post-transmission 80-kilowatt
Hybrid Drive System and was extensively tested and evaluated at
IC Corporation’s research and technology facility in Fort Wayne,
Ind. The initial powertrain for the hybrid school bus will couple
an International® VT365 V8 diesel engine with the 80-kilowatt hybrid-electric
powertrain, incorporating a transmission, batteries and an electric
motor. The system is based on a parallel architecture, allowing
the system to utilize both diesel and electric power in a highly
efficient manner.
The
system recovers kinetic energy during regenerative braking, charging
the batteries while the bus is slowing down. This provides additional
power for acceleration, making school buses ideal candidates for
hybrid technology because of the frequent stops and starts they
perform along their daily routes.
“IC
Corporation is committed to environmental leadership and delivering
value to our customers,” said Cancelliere. “We believe that diesel-electric
hybrid technology can be made commercially viable for the school
bus industry and this collaboration is the next step in making that
a reality.”
Funding
to support Advanced Energy’s initiative has come from North Carolina’s
electric utilities (Duke Energy,
Progress Energy, Dominion
North Carolina Power and North
Carolina electric cooperatives) and the State Energy Office
in North Carolina.
“Duke
Energy is proud to support research and market development of alternative
and more energy efficient technologies,” said Ellen Ruff, president
of Duke Energy Carolinas. “The hybrid electric school bus project
is an exciting example of how key stakeholders from the utility
industry, business and government can form partnerships that produce
great benefits for communities in which we live.”
Advanced
Energy is also welcoming additional funding at the state and private
level to expand this program to more school districts and other
states. More information about the program can be found at www.hybridschoolbus.org.
The
hybrid bus announcement is the continuation of research and development
for new technology in a number of different vehicles. IC Corporation’s
parent company, International Truck and Engine Corporation, is working
extensively on hybrid trucks for the utility and delivery industries.
About
IC Corporation
IC Corporation, the nation’s largest integrated school bus manufacturer,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Truck and Engine Corporation.
International produces school bus chassis, mid-range diesel engines,
medium trucks, heavy trucks, severe service vehicles, and is a provider
of parts and service sold under the International brand. Both IC
and International are subsidiaries of Navistar International Corporation
(NYSE: NAV). Additional information is available on their website
at: www.ic-corp.com.
About
Enova Systems, Inc.
Enova Systems is a leading supplier of efficient, environmentally
friendly digital power components and systems products. The company’s
core competencies are focused on the development and commercialization
of power management and conversion systems for mobile and stationary
applications. Enova applies unique ‘enabling technologies’ in the
areas of alternative energy propulsion systems for medium and heavy-duty
vehicles as well as power conditioning and management systems for
distributed generation systems. The company develops, designs and
produces drive systems and related components for electric, hybrid-electric,
and fuel cell powered vehicles. For further information, contact
Enova Systems directly, or visit its Web site at www.enovasystems.com.
About
Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy is a Raleigh-based nonprofit corporation that enables
utility customers to improve returns on their energy investments.
The corporation also strives to create environmental, economic and
societal benefits through innovative and market-based approaches
to energy. The Hybrid Electric School Bus Project represents a collaborative
effort among many parties to improve the nation’s air quality. The
project has demonstrated that industry, government and non-profits
can successfully work together to improve the environment and encourage
the economy.
QUOTES
FROM PROJECT FUNDERS
Dominion
North Carolina Power
"Dominion is pleased that our contribution to Advanced Energy’s
Hybrid Electric School Bus Project is being used to further the
development of alternative technologies that will benefit North
Carolina’s citizens. Dominion broadly supports research and development
into programs and technologies aimed at minimizing environmental
impacts and promoting the efficient use of energy and natural resources."
Pamela
F. Faggert
Vice President and Chief Environmental Officer
Dominion Resources Services Inc.
Duke
Energy Carolinas
“Duke Energy is proud to support research and market development
of alternative and more energy efficiency technologies. The hybrid
electric school bus project is an exciting example of how key stakeholders
from the utility industry, business and government can form partnerships
that produce great benefits for communities in which we live.”
Ellen
Ruff
President
Duke Energy Carolinas
N.C.
electric cooperatives
"Collaborating with Advanced Energy to help commercialize hybrid
vehicle technology has been an important endeavor for the North
Carolina electric cooperatives. Bringing about positive change in
the marketplace in regards to this type of alternative energy will
yield many benefits for North Carolina and the nation."
Randy
Brecheisen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation
N.C.
State Energy Office
“The State Energy Office is proud to be a sponsor of the Hybrid
Electric Bus Project because of the many benefits it will bring
to North Carolina’s citizens, economy and environment. Using hybrid
technology to cleanly power our children’s school buses can help
reduce transportation costs, create new jobs and cut our dependence
on imported fossil fuels. By being one of the first states in the
nation to utilize this emerging technology, North Carolina is leading
by example.”
Larry
Shirley
Director
State Energy Office, a division of the N.C. Department of Administration
Progress
Energy
“Progress Energy is proud to partner with Advanced Energy Corporation
on this innovative project. As the Carolinas continues to grow,
we must ensure the right balance of energy efficiency, alternative
energy and new energy sources, and these plug-in hybrid buses will
help us and others learn more about this promising technology.”
Fred
Day
President and CEO, Progress Energy Carolinas
Member, Advanced Energy Board of Directors
|
