Article published in Mass Transit magazine …
The Logic for Hybrid-powered Buses
The logic behind the big push for hybrid-powered transit buses is simple. Hybrid technology increases fuel economy and lowers exhaust emissions. Even a one or two mpg improvement in fuel consumption for a large fleet of transit buses can translate into millions of dollars in savings annually. These operational cost savings and environmental improvements have driven transit hybrid bus production volume up over 30 percent from previous years’ volumes.
Although cost savings are important to offset reduced budgets and escalating fuel costs, it is equally important to continue to reduce exhaust emissions, improve air quality, improve energy efficiency for the transit authority, and reduce our dependence on imported fuel.