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Navy Buys First "Green" Buses for Naval Base Kitsap

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100701-04
7/1/2010

By Darrell Waller, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs

BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Base Kitsap recently expanded its shuttle fleet with the purchase of two "green" hybrid buses, with five others to be delivered by the end of July.

This follows the purchase of Kitsap's first hybrid bus April 29.

The diesel-electric vehicles, the Navy's first hybrids, were funded through the GSA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Replacement/Exchange Program and are overseen by NAVFAC, the Navy's non-tactical vehicle program manager.

"We welcome the addition of these hybrid buses to our fleet and are encouraged by the benefits they will bring," said Naval Base Kitsap Commanding Officer, Capt. Mark Olson. "We are expecting significant fuel cost savings as compared to previous models, and they are more environmentally friendly, reducing harmful greenhouse gases, which damage our atmosphere."

The hybrids reflect the Navy's commitment to sustainable energy sources and toward achieving aggressive energy reduction goals set forth last year by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

"Hybrids will enable the Navy to reduce its overall use of petroleum," said Capt. J. Pat Rios, commanding officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest. "The SECNAV's energy goals call for a Navywide 50 percent petroleum reduction by 2015. Transitioning to hybrids moves us closer to that target."

The newer, energy-efficient gas hybrids will ultimately replace eight older Navy-owned shuttle
buses active in the Kitsap fleet for an average of 30 years. They can run on regular diesel fuel or on a 20 percent biodiesel blend, providing the Navy with huge advantages over traditional internal combustion engines. Projected fuel savings are 35 to 60 percent when compared to standard shuttle buses.

Additional benefits of diesel electric hybrids include emission reductions of up to 35 percent, extended brake life, idle time reductions of up to 87 percent and greatly reduced operating costs.