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KELOWNA – Canada’s first environmentally friendly hybrid school bus is set to begin service in the Central Okanagan school district, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today.
“B.C. is proud to become the first province
in Canada to operate a hybrid school bus,” said Bond. “The hybrid’s ability to
minimize its environmental impact not only improves air quality, but serves as
an example that there are many different ways we can work to reduce our
province’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.”
The new bus will begin transporting students immediately, covering a mixed urban-rural route within Kelowna city limits.
“This state-of-the-art hybrid bus will eliminate diesel particulate
emissions by up to 90 per cent, protecting the health and safety of students
while also benefiting the local community,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al
Horning.
“We know hybrid vehicles are more
fuel-efficient, saving money for the school district and also helping to
protect the environment for future generations,” said Okanagan-Westside MLA
Rick Thorpe
The
hybrid-electric school bus, the first of its kind in Canada according to the
manufacturer, combines a diesel engine with a battery-powered electric motor to
run the vehicle. The batteries recharge when the brakes are applied.
The Province is providing a total of $180,000 towards the school district’s purchase of the bus. The 72-passenger hybrid vehicle costs about $240,000.
The hybrid school bus supports the Province’s throne speech commitment to reduce B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent below current levels by 2020.
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Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 250 920-9040 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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