Hybrid school buses powered by electricity from solar energy
2010 is turning out to be the year of the electric vehicle. With back to school season in full swing, kids in Wisconsin can soon get a lesson in energy efficiency before they even reach the school steps.
A new fleet of plug-in electric hybrid school buses will be transporting students in the Oconomowoc school district in southeastern Wisconsin.
Not only do the buses run on electricity (with diesel fuel as back-up), but solar power is used to recharge the 11 hybrids at solar recharging stations in the fleet’s garage. The solar panel system will produce over 60,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year to charge bus batteries. As a result, the new fleet is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30-40%.
Students and their parents can also learn math and economics from these solar-powered school buses. With double the fuel efficiency of regular diesel buses, fuel costs dramatically drop – a perfect outcome for cash-strapped school districts. In addition, the buses will require less maintenance because there is not as much wear and tear on the engines.
The buses are provided to the school district by the IC Corporation, an affiliate of Illinois-based truck and engine manufacturer Navistar International. Another Wisconsin school transit company, Riteway Bus Service, will also be taking delivery of 13 IC Corporation plug-in hybrid buses as well, including a solar recharging station.
While Wisconsin may not be the first to get hybrid electric buses, it may be one of the first with solar-powered school buses:
The Wisconsin solar-powered school buses and charging stations were funded with a $3.6 million grant from the Wisconsin Clean Transportation Program. The money is part of the state of Wisconsin’s funding allocation under the federal Recovery Act, used to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy development in all 50 states.
Tags: back to school, hybrid school buses, plug-in electric hybrid, solar powered school bus, solar recharging stations
September 1st, 2010 at 12:20 pm
What a genius idea! This will not only help the environment but will always teach children about climate change. It is still important to be aware of school bus safety guidelines non the less. Here are some. http://transportationlaw.wordp.....aw-news-22