Taiwan launches world's 1st water-fueled school bus

The 20-minute bus ride for university students in Taitung, eastern Taiwan is now more environmentally friendly, as the vehicle has become the world’s first school bus equipped with a water-diesel hybrid system, university officials said. The school bus was revealed at a green technology science exhibition held by National Taitung University (NTTU). The bus runs between the university’s two campuses and is part of the university’s efforts to create a greener future, said Liu Chiung-hsi, dean of NTTU’S College of Science and Engineering. Explaining how the oxy-hydrogen hybrid fuel system works, Liu said it first generates oxy-hydrogen gas from the water, then introduces the gas into the vehicle’s engine, where it helps the fuel burn, therefore increasing fuel efficiency. He said the system creates up to 20% savings in fuel costs and also lowers exhaust emissions by 20%. The system was developed by Kaohsiung-based Epoch Energy Technology Corp. in southern Taiwan and has been put to use in cars and buses since 2006, according to the company. (May 14, 2010)