Advanced Energy and Buyers' Consortium
Issue RFP for Hybrid Electric School Buses

RALEIGH (June 22, 2006) - Advanced Energy and the Hybrid School Bus Buyers' Consortium have issued a Request for Proposals [RFP] to manufacture and deliver plug-in hybrid electric school buses. "By issuing this RFP, our Consortium is showing that school districts want cleaner and more affordable buses for our children," project manager Ewan Pritchard said. The RFP contains technical specifications, procedures for submitting responses and terms and conditions for project participation. Members of the Buyers' Consortium include school districts, state energy agencies and student transportation providers from 10 states across the country. Completed proposals are due July 13, 2006.

The RFP is another step forward for Advanced Energy's Hybrid Electric School Bus Project. The project began in 2004 with the goal of transforming the school bus market. District transportation directors are faced with increasing fuel costs and more stringent engine emission limits. Plug-in hybrid school buses offer lower operating costs through reduced maintenance and lower fuel costs while also producing far less harmful pollutants than conventional buses. These benefits and more were documented in the Hybrid Electric School Bus Feasibility Study released in 2005.

The Hybrid Electric School Bus Project represents a collaborative effort among many parties to improve the nation's air quality. Regulatory agencies helped develop emission limits and funded incremental costs of initial production. School district personnel provided operating characteristics and chassis specifications. School bus manufacturers and hybrid vehicle component suppliers explained the capabilities of hybrid technology. Financing partners for the feasibility studies included Duke Energy, Progress Energy, Dominion North Carolina Power, the NC Electric Membership Corp. and the North Carolina State Energy Office. The project has demonstrated that industry, government and non-profits can successfully work together to improve the environment and encourage the economy.

Advanced Energy is a Raleigh-based nonprofit corporation that enables utility customers to improve returns on their energy investments. The corporation also strives to create environmental and economic benefits through innovative and market-based approaches to energy.

For more information or to respond to this article contact Ken Dulaney at (919) 857-9000 or email rfp@advancedenergy.org