DATTCO AND NEW BRITAIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO UNVEIL FIRST HYBRID ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS IN CONNECTICUT DURING EXPO EVENT AT MOHEGAN SUN ON APRIL 9TH

Hybrid Electric School Buses Can Attain Up To 65 Percent Increase in Fuel Efficiency, 40 Percent Reduction

NEW BRITAIN, CT (April 1, 2009) – New Britain will become one of the first school districts in New England to operate a new hybrid electric school bus that has the potential to improve fuel efficiency by up to 65 percent and reduce emissions by up to 40 percent. Keys to the new bus will be turned over to representatives from the school district during a “Go Green, Go DATTCO” event at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center on April 9th at 1 p.m. The presentation is a highlight of DATTCO’s Annual Sales & Service Expo which takes place from 12 – 5 p.m. Representatives from DATTCO, the New Britain Public Schools, IC Bus, New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart and state government officials will attend the hybrid bus ceremony.

The hybrid plug-in school bus is built by IC Bus, the nation’s largest school bus manufacturer, and Enova Systems, a leading provider of hybrid drive systems. While the exterior of the school bus looks basically the same as a standard bus, it is powered with innovative new technology. DATTCO will add reflective green lettering to the side of the new bus to identify it as a hybrid. The bus features Enova's Charge Depleting System (or "Plug In”). With an overnight charge, the system utilizes a larger battery that provides stored energy intended to be drawn down over the driving cycle, thus optimizing fuel economy. Depending on the route, fuel economy can improve up to 65 percent and reduction in emissions is expected to improve by 40 percent. The powertrain for the hybrid school bus couples a MaxxForce™ 7 diesel engine with a 25/80-kilowatt hybrid-electric powertrain, incorporating an electric motor, batteries and a control module. The system is based on a parallel architecture, allowing the system to utilize both diesel and electric power in a highly efficient manner.

“New Britain Public Schools deserves high marks for its commitment to helping the environment with this hybrid bus purchase,” said Don DeVivo, DATTCO president. “It’s better for the students too, because reduced emissions are healthier,” he added. “DATTCO is pleased to partner with the school system in bringing this technology to Connecticut.”

There is additional synergy to bringing the hybrid electric bus to New Britain. As part of an ongoing series of green energy initiatives, the school system recently installed a large-scale solar roof on the high school that produces power for the building. The new hybrid electric bus will recharge at the high school, requiring no additional drain on the power grid for its operation.

“Improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions helps school districts and the environment,” said John McKinney, vice president and general manager of IC Bus. “IC Bus is committed to environmental leadership with its hybrid school bus.”

The new hybrid electric bus will be placed in service by the New Britain Public Schools on April 13th.

About DATTCO
Established in 1924, DATTCO is a family owned, full-service transportation company. The company maintains 19 additional office, terminal, and service facilities throughout the New England states. DATTCO’s operations are divided into three primary divisions: The School Bus Division, the Motor Coach Group, and the Sales & Service Division. DATTCO’s School Bus Division provides school transportation and charter services to municipalities, school systems, and other public and private organizations. Serving the largest cities and the smallest towns, DATTCO is one of New England's leading school bus operators. Additional information is available at www.DATTCO.com.

About IC Bus
IC Bus is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). The nation’s largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com.