CE Series

Hybrid

 
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Everyone understands the need to do their part to make the world a greener place. Schools are figuring out how to do their part. And IC Bus is leading the sustainability charge by offering the only plug-in hybrid electric school bus in the country. Here you’ll find out more about our hybrid bus that can improves fuel efficiency by 65% while reducing 39% of all emissions. We’re the first in the school bus industry to do this. The next time you see a yellow school bus, ask yourself if it’s green. If it’s an IC Bus plug-in hybrid electric school bus, you’ll know it is.

CE Series Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV): IC Bus offers two types of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), charge sustaining and charge depleting. Our hybrid system relies on an electric motor and batteries to maximize efficient operation of the school bus. In both of these configurations the engine is always running. Our system includes a 25/80kw AC induction motor mounted behind the transmission (known as a post-transmission parallel hybrid system). The system captures energy from regenerative braking to recharge the batteries as well as reducing the load on the vehicle brakes for an improvement in brake life.

The induction motor and the hybrid controller are cooled with a dedicated radiator system that utilizes standard red coolant. This motor is environmentally sealed. There is a battery care unit (BCU) that monitors the batteries for voltage, state of charge, amp hours, kilowatt hours and temperature. The safety disconnect unit (SDU), is controlled by the BCU and it connects and disconnects the battery pack during charging. It also provides surge protection and disconnect capability should a ground fault occur.

An advantage of our parallel system is that it allows the vehicle engine and transmission to drive through the electrics should a failure occur so the vehicle remains fully drivable.

The batteries are housed in a split pack based on the school bus fuel tank cage design.

Performance: Depending on the route, fuel economy improves up to 30% (charge sustaining) and up to 65% (charge depleting) systems. Emission improvements have shown up to a 40% improvement.

Charge Sustaining System:

  • Can improve fuel economy by up to 30% and reduce emissions by up to 40%.
  • Utilizes a single lithium ion battery pack which is maintained within a narrow state of charge (SOC) range over the entire drive cycle.
  • Battery charge is maintained by the on-board equipment and is not recharged from the grid.

Charge Depleting System:

  • Can improve fuel economy by up to 30% and reduce emissions by up to 40%.
  • Utilizes dual lithium ion battery packs which are integrated within the hybrid system cooling package.
  • Battery packs provide stored energy intended to be drawn down (to about 25% SOC) over the driving cycle subsequent to an overnight charge.
  • Draw down takes place over the first 40 miles of the route.

We went to drivers, fleet supervisors, school administrators and mechanics and asked them what they wanted in a school bus. But we didn't stop there.

   
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