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Hybrid Electric School Bus Takes to the Road in Todd County
Elkton, KY April 6, 2011 – A new hybrid electric school bus capable of
improving fuel efficiency an
average of 35% has joined the fleet of 56 traditional school buses
in Todd County.
The hybrid electric school bus, manufactured by Thomas Built Buses
with the Eaton Hybrid System,
was delivered today. The keys to the new hybrid electric school bus
were presented to Superintendent
Michael Kenner by Bill Glisson, Whayne Supply.
Kentucky will have the distinction of having the largest hybrid
electric school bus fleet in the nation.
Todd County is one of the 30 districts awarded a share of the $13
million in funding from the U.S.
Department of Energy, adding a total of 213 hybrid electric vehicles
to public school fleets across
Kentucky. At approximately $150,000 per vehicle, hybrid electric
school buses cost twice as much as
traditional school buses. The grant offsets the differential costs
for local districts.
“The Todd County School District is pleased to be adding a hybrid
bus to our fleet. We are always
looking for ways to save energy and be more friendly to our
environment. The addition of this hybrid bus
is just one step in moving us toward becoming a cleaner, greener,
more environmentally friendly district,”
says Superintendent Mike Kenner.
“We are encouraging school systems throughout the state to improve
efficiency while being
environmentally conscious,” says Commissioner Terry Holliday with
the Kentucky Department of
Education. “The new technology will also provide learning
opportunities for students on real-world issues
like fuel consumption, air quality and transportation costs.”
The Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools program is a
collaborative effort between the Kentucky
Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) and the Kentucky Department of
Education. Performance data for these
hybrid electric school buses will be gathered by KCFC, a non-profit
organization.
“Early performance data shows remarkable results in hybrid buses
across Kentucky,” says Melissa M.
Howell, Executive Director of KCFC. “Soon we will be working
directly with teachers and students to
further detail operations of the systems,” adds Howell.
Bill Glisson, Whayne Supply, Todd Co Supt Michael Kenner and Barry
ZInk, Whayne Supply pictured in photo.
Crossing the Todd County line today.
In historic town square in Elkton (Todd County) |
