America's Children Go Back To School ... Made Safer and More Reliable on Clean Diesel School Buses

"Using clean diesel power provides the safest and most economical choice for our nation's school buses." – Allen Schaeffer, Diesel Technology Forum

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As schools around the nation welcome children back to their class rooms, some 24 million students will be provided safe, reliable and energy-efficient transportation to and from school on clean diesel school buses.

"The modern yellow school bus powered by today's modern diesel engines is the right choice for student transportation and clean diesel will continue to make school transportation safer and more reliable each year as new advanced technologies are utilized," said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

"This includes new generation buses with the latest low-emissions technologies as well as  increasingly popular hybrid diesel-electric engines that use the start and stop of the school bus drive cycle to capture, store and use energy, thereby reducing fuel costs and allowing for downsized diesel engines.

"Every day we're seeing the benefits of the work of school districts in all 50 states that have implemented clean diesel upgrades on older buses with new filters and emissions modernization that significantly improve air quality.  Since 2005, many school districts have received funds from the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) for school bus related projects. The DERA funds, in addition to matching state, local and private money, have provided clean diesel vehicle replacements, the installation of new diesel oxidation catalysts on older buses, and the addition of anti-idling technologies to reduce diesel emissions."

Safety and Emissions
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Reduces Emissions to Levels Equal To or Lower Than Natural Gas Buses
"Diesel provides the safest power for transporting children to and from school on the majority of the nation's school buses," Schaeffer said.

"Advances in diesel engine technology have virtually eliminated emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 98 percent from 1988 levels. New school buses using clean ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel are able to reduce PM and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions to levels equal to or lower than comparable natural gas buses.

Fuel Efficiency and Retrofitting
Clean Diesel Provides Better Fuel Economy than Natural Gas Buses
"When considering all the options of infrastructure, fueling and vehicle acquisition cost, diesel is the most efficient and cost-effective technology for school bus fleets, providing better fuel economy over other fuels and technologies," Schaeffer said.  

"In addition to new cleaner engines, modern retrofit technology is helping school transportation officials cut emissions from many of the older school buses still in service. New technologies are also being used to upgrade or retrofit older diesel engines. Retrofitting devices are reducing key pollutants from existing bus fleets by up to 90 percent.

"We have been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus USA and the diesel retrofit program to expand this effort.  EPA, as well as some state and local governments, are now offering economic incentives to retrofit diesel school buses.

"We're proud to represent the leaders in clean, low emission school bus technology."

 Additional information about clean diesel school bus engines and equipment can be found at:

• Caterpillar
• Cummins Inc.
• Daimler AG
• General Motors Company
• Navistar

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems.  For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

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Allen Schaeffer

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SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum