Enova Announces Plug-In Hybrid School Bus Testing Shows 70% Improved Fuel Economy & Reduced Emissions

Enova Systems announced that recent dynamometer test results conclude that IC Bus school buses using post-transmission hybrid drive systems from Enova can improve fuel efficiency by more than 70% compared to standard diesel-powered school buses. The Enova hybrid drive systems installed in the IC Bus school buses also are said to significantly reduce carbon dioxide, NOx and particulate matter emissions. Advanced Energy, described as a resource for innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues, has facilitated the adoption of IC Bus plug-in hybrid school buses in school districts in the U.S. and Canada.

These route-specific test results, along with the recent announcement by IC Bus of their intention to reduce the price of their school buses equipped with plug-in hybrid electric systems by up to $40,000, is said to show that significant progress has been made in developing, engineering and deploying fuel efficient and cost competitive hybrid electric buses.

"Our unique post transmission system offers original equipment manufacturers a non-invasive solution to enter the hybrid vehicle market in either the retrofit or new vehicle segment. Being the only supplier of this technology offers us and our customers a tremendous competitive advantage," stated Mike Staran, Enova’s President and CEO.

The extensive series of fuel consumption and emissions tests were conducted to simulate actual route cycles and conditions using the West Virginia University Suburban Test Cycle. The tests were conducted at an independent commercial laboratory accepted by the California Air Resources Board that is properly equipped to perform specialized tests in accordance with applicable federal and California test procedures.

Tests were conducted on the following buses equipped with the Enova plug-in hybrid electric systems: 2007 model year IC Bus CE Series school bus with a VT365 engine and Allison 2500 transmission; 2008 model year IC Bus CE Series school bus.

"We are very pleased with the test results, and will now focus our attention to understanding school bus routes and determining the types and duration of routes that can strongly benefit from plug-in hybrid electric systems," said Ewan Pritchard, Hybrid Program Manager for Advanced Energy. "This proves that significant benefits are available as long as we put these in the right place."

"We believe these results show the success of our system in obtaining fuel economy and air quality improvements without major changes to standard production engines," said David Hillman, Marketing Director for IC Bus. "But this is only the first phase of development. IC Bus and Enova are committed to developing ’engine off’ technology to obtain additional fuel economy and emissions control improvements."