THORNTON, Colo. — Colorado’s
first hybrid school bus went into service
in January, shuttling a group of
third-graders on a field trip to an environmental
research center.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools acquired
one of IC Bus’ diesel-electric hybrids
with help from a state alternative-
fuels rebate.
The bus is expected to reduce
diesel consumption by 70 percent
and carbon dioxide emissions
by 40 percent.
David Anderson, director of
transportation for the school district,
said that the hybrid school
bus will be the first to be tested at
high altitude. The district, based
outside of Denver, is about a mile
high — 5,280 feet — and the bus
will be driven into the nearby
mountains, possibly as high as
12,000 feet.
The district and IC Bus will
look at how the high altitude affects
fuel economy and performance.
Teacher Sarah Hayden’s third-grade
class from Hillcrest Elementary
took the bus’ inaugural trip as
they visited the National Center for
Atmospheric Research in Boulder.
The class has been studying climate and environmental topics, including
hybrid technology.
As the students returned from the
trip, they took part in a press conference
at their school. School district and
air quality agency officials were also
on hand to discuss the hybrid school
bus project.