There is a bus race going on as you read this. I'm not referring to a drag race between two city buses, but rather a race between various bus manufacturers to fort the most cost- efficient, fuel-efficient bus that money can buy.

Currently, many city and suburban buses are propelled by diesel fuel, which is hardly the cleanest technology available. We've all seen the black thick smoke that bellows from these buses. And that nasty smell!

Right now, there is a quiet ongoing race currently being run to determine how buses will be propelled in the near future. The viable contestants appear to be natural gas, hydrogen, electric power cells, and hybrids. Will there be one technology winner? Or will various quality technologies remain in place?

Much of the race is being fought abroad.. For example, a Korean company has recently been promoting a hybrid, or combined technology, which can be used to power buses. The idea of hybrid technologies is to take the best of two competing technologies. In this case, a company called Asia Motor Company has promoted a diesel-electric hybrid.

In early 1999, General Motors began testing diesel electric buses on New York City streets. According to General Motors, transit fleets can save millions of dollars in fuel costs while reducing pollution by relying on this hybrid technology.

The GM system uses a battery to propel the bus wheels. A small diesel engine keeps the battery charged and operates at a steady rate. Since most diesel pollution comes from motor surges (after start ups), this combined technology dramatically reduces the amount of released pollutants. It is similar to a gasoline-electric hybrid currently used in cars that are sold in Japan.

As for domestic heroes, look at Boise, Idaho. It's strange to consider Boise as a leader in the clean air race, largely because most think of Boise as already having won that race. But, Boise is a real innovator. Boise used federal and other funds to replace its outdated diesel buses with small and medium-sized buses powered by compressed natural gas.

This process started over five years ago in Boise, which really makes that city a leader. The buses eliminate many of the asthma causing pollutants typically associated with diesels, such as particulates and carbon monoxide. Boise opened a large scale natural gas station to prove it is serious about this. And the cost for this facility was borne by the local gas provider. Innovative funding at its finest.

But don't believe that New York City was willing to be completely outdone by Boise, it just took a little longer to enter the race. The Big Apple purchased approximately 500 of these buses in 1997. That decision was brought about following negotiations among state and local officials, various transit authorities, and a coalition of environmental and public health groups.

Hydrogen has also been touted as a possible solution. This power source releases no greenhouse gasses and is very environmentally protective. Also, hydrogen supplies are endless. Though the technology is still costly, many see hydrogen as a part of the solution to bus pollution. And yet another possible approach may lie in the electric fuel cell. These are really space aged batteries with tremendous capacity. On manufacturer is Plug Power in Latham New York. Its stock has skyrocketed in recent months, and many view it, and other power cell providers, as playing a pivotal role in the resolution of these issues.

About 50 years ago, there was a big push by some large companies to eliminate trolley systems through out the United States, allegedly in order to sell buses. In fact, there was a large lawsuit involving this claim. Now, trolley cars, or "light rail" systems, are coming back in fashion. But buses are not leaving soon. And the good news is that one way or another, bus manufacturers are cleaning up their act.

Published: August 31, 2000

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Stuart Lieberman, Esq. writes about environmental issues. He was a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 to 1990. Currently he is a shareholder in the environmental law firm of Lieberman & Blecher, P.C., located in Princeton, New Jersey. Stuart can be reached at slieberman@liebermanblecher.com.