LaRue County Schools Notes Significant Savings with Hybrid Buses

Hodgenville, Kentucky - August 10, 2011 – The LaRue County School District continues to see significant savings from the first hybrid electric school bus in the state of Kentucky.

The district took delivery of the state’s first hybrid electric school bus in July, 2010 and has since saved 515 gallons of fuel and about $1500 compared to the traditional diesel powered school bus. 
The hybrid electric system is a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery system when the driver applies the brake. 

“The bus is used on the hilliest route we have to take advantage of the start and stop braking” says Phil Fulkerson, Director of Transportation & Maintenance for the LaRue  County School District. 
In addition, reduced brake wear, and continued support from ThomasBuilt Buses, Whayne Power Systems, and Eaton – the bus and hybrid system manufacturers – are credited with LaRue’s successful hybrid performance results.

“It makes a lot of sense from my perspective,” says LuRue Superintendent Sam Sanders, “We can be more green, buy less fuel, decrease carbon emissions, and do what we can for future generations.“  Three additional hybrid electric buses have been added to the LaRue fleet.  All are expected to be on the road by the end of September, and Superintendent Sanders is interested in buying more.

Thirty-two school districts across Kentucky currently operate 125 hybrid electric buses.  Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation.

A total of 215 hybrid buses will be purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009.  The Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non - profit organization, administer the grant.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/resources/hybridhorsepower.htm