today's engines are more fuel efficient and emit significantly less pollutants. Plus, each school bus can take approximately 30 to 60 cars off of the road during peak rush hour times. If every parent drove their kids to and from school, the traffic congestion, pollution and fuel use would not have a positive impact on the environment.
Now, the leading school bus manufacturer, IC Bus, is producing the nation's only line of hybrid school buses. These hybrid school buses improve fuel efficiency by up to 70 percent and also reduce diesel emissions by up to 70 percent. The school buses are "plugged in" at night, charging the electric motor that is part of the hybrid system. The electric motor and the diesel engine work effectively together during operation of the school bus, resulting in the lower emissions and increased fuel efficiency.