Hybrid School Bus Joins Fleet in Hart County

(Munfordville, KY) September 21, 2011 – Hart County Schools in Munfordville, KY took delivery of their first new hybrid electric school bus last week, and expect to reap fuel savings benefits throughout the new school year and beyond.

"We are excited to be adding a hybrid electric bus to our fleet in Hart County.  We strive to offer cutting edge technology in every aspect of our student's education, and this is another way we can do that as well as reduce fuel costs and save money in this challenging economic time" said Hart County Superintendent Ricky Line.

The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Superintendent Line and Transportation Director Daniel Hawkins, by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International (in photo attached).  District bus drivers, mechanics, and first responders were all trained highlighting best operational practices for the hybrid-electric system. 

The bus uses an Eaton Hybrid System, a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery when the driver applies the brake.  Stop and start routes that generally do not exceed 50 mph provide the best performance for the hybrid system.  Hybrid electric buses already in operation across the state are seeing 30% or greater fuel savings. 

Thirty-five school districts across Kentucky currently operate 126 hybrid electric buses. Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation.  Over 200 hybrid buses will be purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009. 

Performance data for these hybrid school buses is being gathered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit organization that administers the grant with the Kentucky Department of Education.

Find data at: http://www.kycleanfuels.org/