From:
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/actualites/...FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's first hybrid school bus will head out on the road today in Moncton.
Funded under the provincial Climate Change Action Fund, the $180,000 vehicle costs about twice as much as a regular school bus, but could shave annual fuel consumption by 20 to 50 per cent, depending on the bus route, according to estimates from manufacturer IC Corp.
Particulate emissions, including carbon monoxide, could be reduced by up to 90 per cent annually, added Transportation Department spokeswoman Tracey Burkhardt.
"This is another step in our work to develop a greener government fleet," Burkhardt said Wednesday.
The performance of the 72-passenger bus, which uses a diesel engine supported by a battery-powered electric motor, will be measured against 85 other conventionally powered school buses that were recently purchased to determine if it would be feasible to buy more hybr