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WHAT IS A DIESEL-ELECTRIC HYBRID BUS?

Photo of a hybrid bus Cincinnati is known for its hills. Historically, diesel engines have been the only way to propel 13-ton Metro buses filled with passengers up those hills. Today, new diesel-electric hybrid buses offer an environmentally responsible alternative to diesel power.

Hybrid-electric vehicles are powered both by an electric motor and a diesel engine. Today’s hybrid buses combine the latest technological advances with the efficiency and reduced emissions of modern clean-diesel technology to produce dramatic reductions in both emissions and fuel consumption.

Vehicles use the most fuel and generate the most pollution when they accelerate. Hybrids use less fuel and emit less exhaust because they use electric power for acceleration. Electricity is generated by the engine and by the braking action of the bus as it slows down or stops, which is called regenerative braking. The result: smooth acceleration with reduced emissions.

A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Today diesel-electric hybrid technology is being used increasingly to improve the performance of a number of urban transit bus fleets across the country.

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), hybrids are becoming the buses of choice for public transit systems trying to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

In a study conducted last year by APTA of its North American members, about 22% of the buses on order were hybrids and that number will only increase over the next two years based on projections from GM and BAE systems, two major manufacturers of hybrid buses.

Most hybrid buses produce about 95% less soot than diesel buses.

Hybrids in two cities studied by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory got better mileage than diesel buses – 3.19 miles per gallon or 34 percent more in New York and 3.17 miles per gallon or 27 percent more in Seattle.

METRO’S DIESEL-ELECTRIC HYBRID PROGRAM

On April 21, 2009, Metro introduced the first six hybrid diesel-electric buses into its 388-bus fleet in Cincinnati. More are on the way.

While a hybrid bus costs about $170,000 more than a conventional diesel bus, each hybrid will significantly reduce emissions and yield an annual savings of 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel compared to diesel buses.