Chelan School District happy with hybrid bus
Remember back when we told you about the hybrid buses that IC Corp and Enova Systems were making together for a handful of schools? With today's high cost of diesel and the worries about bus pollution, we wondered how those lucky few feel about their buses now. Thanks to an article in the Wenatchee World, we now know about the experience of the Chelan School District. Their transportation manager, Scott Logan, said there has been a lot to learn but they have been "very impressed" with the vehicle thus far. The hybrid's 9.5 to 18 mpg is an 80 to 300 percent improvement over their standard buses. Because of the low center of gravity and extra distributed weight of the batteries beneath the floorboards, the handling and traction on snow is also much better.
The only drawback is the price tag: $212,000. The district had received a grant from the state Department of Ecology as well as local agencies and private parties to help buy this one. Such a cost wouldn't be easily feasible in the future. Logan did mention he'd been told prices could drop dramatically to $140,000 if 100 or more were ordered. Moving the decimal point a few places tells me that hybrid buses could be affordable if an initial $21.2 million were invested in our childrens school transportation. Doesn't seem like so much to me.
[Source: Wenatchee World]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wise Golden 9:41PM (3/14/2008)
"Doesn't seem like so much to me."
Becaue you don't pay taxes -- I'm guessing. By the way leave the cost of the war worries to people who pay taxes.
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May 10:58PM (3/14/2008)
Albeit the expensive tag, i think it will go a long way.....
Sigh, if only eco-friendly vehicles were as affordable as the gas-fueled ones....
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Chris M 10:59PM (3/14/2008)
Golden: You may be suprised to learn that large vehicles like busses and trucks can be expensive. It's just the nature of really large vehicles.
Most busses are used on relatively short routes twice a day, perfect for electric operation. Save the diesel and hybrid busses for longer routes and longer field trips, but save big money and imported oil by running electrics for those short morning and afternoon routes, with plenty of time to recharge in between runs.
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Wise Golden 11:57PM (3/14/2008)
Chris -- don't get me wrong. I think every bus we buy should be Hybrid. I just hate the way Domannick is equating everything to the war. It just gets to be such a tired argument, "the war is expensive, so therefore, everything else is cheap by comparision." Or, why not just post an artical about hating the war -- what does hybrid buses have to do with the war? The "writer" could have said, "while expensive, this might be a good investment," to which I would have replied,"yep...sounds good."
For the record -- buses are perfect hybrid vehicles. Trash trucks would be the most perfect - stop and go a thousand times each day.
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armmat 1:57AM (3/15/2008)
I'll be glad to pay taxes to such investments...at least I know it's going for this and not a TRILLION dollar war...boy do some of you whiners have your priorities all jacked up.
I bet you're the same gang who can't see beyond tomorrow. Wouldn't it be nice to improve the health of our children for the long run by reducing those toxic fumes they breath in when riding those things?
Oh yes...I forgot...when it comes down to it...most Americans, while always crying about their kids future and safety, wouldn't give up an iota of anything for them. Bottom line none of you give a *snip unless it's absolutely painless for you.
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armmat 1:59AM (3/15/2008)
And yes...alot of it does relate to the war...WAR IS AN EXPENSE...when you spend money HERE, you can't and won't spend it THERE.
Why is that so hard to hear about all the time? If people are so tired of hearing that crap, then the damned thing already. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
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Dave 10:09AM (3/15/2008)
The missing piece of information here is: how much does a standard bus cost?
$80,000 perhaps?
If so, a $140,000 hybrid bus may pay for itself in decreased fuel consumption alone.
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Dave 10:11AM (3/15/2008)
PS-
And I agree with the other posters who would like to see greater energy independence for the USA. And hopefully that would lead to less bloodshed.
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Domenick Yoney 2:38PM (3/15/2008)
@Dave: In an article in the same paper (same day) it was mentioned they are paying $112,000 each for some new buses.
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