RALEIGH -
Advanced Energy and the Hybrid School Bus Buyers Consortium have issued a Request
for Proposals [RFP] to manufacture and deliver plug-in hybrid electric school buses. By issuing this
RFP, our Consortium is showing that school districts want cleaner and more affordable buses for our
children, project manager Ewan Pritchard said. The RFP contains technical specifications, procedures
for submitting responses and terms and conditions for project participation. Members of the Buyers
Consortium include school districts, state energy agencies and student transportation providers from 10
states across the country. Completed proposals are due July 13, 2006.
The RFP is another step forward for Advanced Energy s Hybrid Electric School Bus Project. The project
began in 2004 with the goal of transforming the school bus market. District transportation directors are
faced with increasing fuel costs and more stringent engine emission limits. Plug-in hybrid school buses
offer lower operating costs through reduced maintenance and lower fuel costs while also producing far
less harmful pollutants than conventional buses. These benefits and more were documented in the
Hybrid Electric School Bus Feasibility Study released in 2005.
The Hybrid Electric School Bus Project represents a collaborative effort among many parties to improve
the nation s air quality. Regulatory agencies helped develop emission limits and funded incremental
costs of initial production. School district personnel provided operating characteristics and chassis
specifications. School bus manufacturers and hybrid vehicle component suppliers explained the
capabilities of hybrid technology. Financing partners for the feasibility studies included Duke Energy,
Progress Energy, Dominion North Carolina Power, the NC Electric Membership Corp. and the North
Carolina State Energy Office. The project has demonstrated that industry, government and non-profits
can successfully work together to improve the environment and encourage the economy.
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 and economic
benefits through innovative and market-based approaches to energy.
For more information or to respond to this article contact Ken Dulaney at (919) 857-9000
