In this issue:
School Bus Costs Drop
Dynamometer Testing Yields Strong Results
Upcoming Events
For the latest news, visit
www.hybridschoolbus.org.
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School Bus Costs Drop
Great news for school bus buyers; the cost of the hybrid electric school bus was recently reduced. See the following excerpt from the March 26 press release in School Transportation News about the announcement.
IC Bus, LLC to Decrease Price
of Hybrid Electric School Bus
WARRENVILLE, Ill. (March 26, 2008) – Less than two years since the first hybrid school bus was unveiled in New York, IC Bus has announced a $30,000 to $40,000 price decrease for its hybrid school buses, effective March 14, 2008.
IC Bus revolutionized the school bus industry when it unveiled the nation’s first hybrid school bus in July 2006. These buses reduce emissions by up to 70 percent, improve fuel efficiency by up to 70 percent and help teach students about the importance of environmental responsibility.
“IC Bus understands that many school bus customers have fixed budgets and recognizes that a price decrease will allow more school districts to purchase the hybrid school bus,” said John McKinney, vice president and general manager of IC Bus. “With the help of Advanced Energy and our hybrid partner Enova Systems, we are able to offer this lower price which will help more schools who are interested in purchasing hybrid school buses to do so. Even more importantly, I personally thank the first round of school districts and private contractors who have already purchased a hybrid school bus, as they have helped forge the path for other customers to follow.”
Dynamometer Testing Yields Strong Results
Plug-in hybrid school buses were recently tested on the rolling chassis dynamometer by the Clean Air Vehicle Technology Center at its California Truck Testing Services facility. The performance testing was a joint effort between Enova Systems, the hybrid system manufacturer, and Advanced Energy, a non-profit organization leading the charge to move school buses to plug-in hybrids. Tests were conducted on two buses, one with a 2006 engine and the other with a 2007 engine. The results were based on the West Virginia University Suburban Cycle which most closely approximates the bus routes that the drivers in the Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Program are driving.
Fuel economy results demonstrated more than a 70 percent increase over the standard diesel system (up to 12.7 mpg) and emissions results demonstrated more than 40 percent reduction in CO2, more than 30 percent reduction in particulate matter and more than 20 percent reduction in NOx. Although these are excellent results, it is important to note that they were achieved on a route-specific test which is not equivalent to the unique and specific routes actually driven by buses in the program. The challenge with this type of testing is to find a cycle or route that is very close to actual, on-the-road routes.
Focusing on school bus routes and determining the type and duration of routes that gain maximum benefit from the plug-in hybrid system is Advanced Energy's current focus, as well as pushing for the next generation to provide engine-off capabilities. As we look deeper at the details of the testing we will establish routing suggestions for districts in the coming year.
To see the recently released press release on this testing, visit www.hybridschoolbus.org.
Upcoming Events
Power Up! Electrifying Transportation Summit
May 8-9, 2008 | Wenatchee, WA
Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference
May 11-14, 2008 | Las Vegas, NV
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