Florida Plug-In Hybrid School Buses to Go into Service
20 February 2007
The Manatee School District in Florida will unveil its two plug-in hybrid school buses from IC Corporation next month. Drivers and mechanics have been training to operate and to maintain them.
Manatee’s hybrids are part of a 19-bus order placed by a group of school districts, state energy agencies and private school bus operators in 11 states. The group was assembled by Advanced Energy as part of its Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Project. (Earlier post.)
The powertrain for the hybrid school bus will combines an International VT365 V8 diesel engine with Enova’s post-transmission 80-kilowatt Hybrid Drive System and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Each hybrid costs $225,000, two to three times more than a conventional diesel bus. With an estimated 12 mpg, district officials said the hybrid buses will pay themselves off in six years. With volume purchasing, officials expect the price to settle out at around $100,000 apiece.
As an added bonus, reduced fumes around kids.
Posted by: stomv | 20 February 2007 at 07:48 AM
Additionally, The Manatee County School District has been using B20 for the last 2 years and is planning increases in bio percentage will increase as manufacturers warranties allow. Also, in 2005 Manatee School District Vehicle Maintenance Dept was rated in the top 10 in the US.
Posted by: Coke Machine | 22 February 2007 at 09:27 AM
This is an exciting time for school buses - to be the first platform in the nation where you can just go down to your local dealership and buy a Plug-In hybrid vechicle. There is more information on the project at www.hybridschoolbus.org - please give us your thoughts and feelings.
Thanks,
Ewan
Hybrid School Bus Program Manager
Advanced Energy
Posted by: Ewan Pritchard, PE | 25 February 2007 at 06:06 PM