Hybrid Electric School Bus Joins Fleet in Crittenden County

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(Marion, KY) – Crittenden County Schools in Marion, KY took delivery of their first new hybrid electric school bus today, and expect to reap fuel savings benefits throughout the new school year and beyond.
As the hybrid electric joins the Crittenden fleet of 35 buses, Superintendent  Dr. Rachel Yarborough noted, “Our school district has continued to seek ways to be as efficient as possible with resources. The new hybrid bus that is now added to our fleet underscores our commitment to seek innovative solutions to energy efficiency.” 
The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Dr. Yarborough and Transportation Director Al Starns, by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International.  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-two school districts across Kentucky currently operate 157 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 the 12.9 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009. The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition wrote and submitted the grant, working with the Kentucky Department of Education.  The KCFC is a non profit organization.
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.kentuckycleanfuels.org/.