TORRANCE, Calif. — SCHOOL BUS FLEET Magazine presented a Web seminar today about the future of hybrid diesel-electric buses in pupil transportation. Editor Steve Hirano moderated the discussion, which included panelists from IC Corporation, Enova Systems and Advanced Energy. The seminar focused on the plug-in hybrid school bus that has been delivered to seven school districts and contractors around the country. Nine to 12 more hybrid buses are set for delivery this year. The vehicle, built by IC Corporation on its CE (conventional) platform, is expected to generate up to 70 percent improvement in fuel economy over a traditional diesel counterpart. The plug-in hybrid uses a charge-depleting lithium-ion battery system, which means it should be recharged overnight for optimal fuel economy. According to Ewan Pritchard, hybrid program manager at Raleigh, N.C.-based Advanced Energy, the cost of recharging the battery pack is approximately 60 cents per equivalent gallon of diesel fuel. Randy Ray, product marketing manager for IC Corporation, said the hybrid bus is equipped with multiple safety systems and requires little routine maintenance beyond periodic checking of the coolant fluid level. The hybrid bus currently sells for about $220,000, but Pritchard said the price will come down significantly when manufacturing volume increases. He provided viewers with suggestions on how to obtain supplemental procurement funding. An archived version of the seminar, which generated more than 100 questions from the nearly 300 people who viewed it, will be available for viewing in the next few days. A link to the archive will be available on the SCHOOL BUS FLEET Website, as well as the IC Corporation Website.