Eaton Corporation will supply a hybrid electric power system for Navistar's IC Bus brand school buses.
The IC Bus CE Series hybrid electric bus can provide school districts with up to a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy, up to 35 percent reduction of NOx emissions and up to 85 percent reduction of diesel particulates, Eaton claims.

"School districts across the country are looking for ways to reduce their fuel cost and provide a greener footprint for their community without compromising passenger or driver comfort," said Dimitri Kazarinoff, vice president and general manager for Eaton's Hybrid Power Systems Division. "With the Eaton hybrid system, they now have a proven option that has more than 100 million miles of real-world experience."

Eaton worked with IC Bus to design its hybrid system for school bus deployment. The hybrid system combines the MaxxForce DT engine with a 44 kilowatt electric motor. Through regenerative braking, battery charge is controlled to provide a steady supply of power. Eaton matches the system to an automated six-speed Eaton transmission and stores energy in lithium-ion batteries. The hybrid system also includes Eaton's unique hill start assist technology that keeps the bus from rolling backwards on a grade.

The hybrid system requires little additional maintenance; only a normal coolant check and battery compartment filter replacement in accordance with the regular maintenance schedule. IC Bus and Eaton back up the entire hybrid system with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.

"We are pleased to incorporate Eaton's proprietary Hybrid System to improve fuel economy by up to 30 percent and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said John McKinney, President, IC Bus.

More info: www.eaton.com/hybrid