IC Corporation and Enova unveil hybrid school bus

11 July 2006

IC Corporation, North America’s largest school bus manufacturer, unveiled the nation’s first hybrid school bus at the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) show. The company, a subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation, has developed the hybrid bus in cooperation with Enova Systems, Inc.

The project, which features Enova’s post-transmission 80 kW Hybrid Drive System, was tested and evaluated at IC Corporation’s research and technology facility in Fort Wayne, IN. The initial powertrain for the hybrid school bus will couple an International® VT365 V8 diesel engine with an 80 kW hybrid-electric powertrain, incorporating a transmission, batteries and an electric motor. The system, based on a parallel architecture, allows to utilize both diesel and electric power.

The system recovers kinetic energy during regenerative braking, charging the batteries while the bus is slowing down. This provides additional power for acceleration, making the hybrid buses ideal because of the frequent starting and stopping of the bus.

The companies are also developing a plug-in version of the system, which would allow to recharge the batteries using electric power from the grid.

The first hybrid school bus will be delivered by Leonard Bus Sales in Deposit, NY, to the Shenendehowa Central School district. The deal is pending final approval on a grant to help fund the purchase.

Source: IC Corporation