Enova Systems has been collaborating with IC Bus for the past couple of years to build a series of plug-in hybrid school buses for testing purposes. Enova recently had an independent CARB-certified lab conduct dynamometer tests on a pair of PHEV school buses to compare the fuel consumption and emissions against conventional models. Enova's system is designed to be installed downstream of the transmission so that it can be easily adapted to buses and drivetrains from different manufacturers. One 2007 and one 2008 IC Bus Series CE bus with different engines and transmissions were tested on a West Virginia University Suburban Test Cycle designed to emulate a typical school bus duty cycle. In the tests, the PHEV buses saw a 70 percent reduction in diesel fuel consumption. Carbon dioxide emissions were cut by 40 percent while soot and NOx were reduced by 30 and 20 percent, respectively. IC Bus has also decided to cut the $200,000+ of the hybrid buses by $40,000. Currently there are 19 of the Enova equipped buses running in eleven states.

[Source: Enova]

Look, I know that some of you all going to be mad at me for posting this video because it doesn't include the segment about Lindsay Lohan's rapidly changing hairstyles. I'm sorry to disappoint all of you, but perhaps the information you get about the plug-in hybrid buses that a local school district in Tampa has purchased will cheer you back up. The video says that these two buses are the nations' first two in operation. After charging for six hours, the bus can save 70-100 percent of the gasoline and subsequent emissions, and as much as half from there. Obviously, the driving habits of the bus driver will impact the actual mileage. Perhaps driver training will be helpful. Something tells me that "former aerospace engineer turned bus driver Marion Patterson" will be able to adjust with no problem.

The follow-up report on the buses explains that each unit costs twice as much as a standard bus at $225,000, but they will be equipped with GPS units to track the wheels on the bus, which do in fact go 'round and 'round. Also, maintenance costs will be tallied to see how cost effective the plug-in buses prove to be.

[Source: Hugg, thanks Linton]