The two sides may finally have the perfect solution. Park officials in Denali National Park are testing a new green alternative of transportation to carry tourists through the park for viewing the wildlife. The 230-horsepower hybrid bus took its first trip through the part recently. Park officials plan to continue testing the bus to determine if it will be a viable alternative to the 110 diesel buses that the park currently uses.



The hybrid bus is much more cost effective to run. It is also cleaner and quieter so it will have a smaller impact on the natural surrounds.

Denali does not allow visitors to drive personal cars into the national park. Visitors instead board one of the fleet of buses near the park entrance to take a ride on the 92 mile road. The road is the only one in and out of the park.

Another reason that park officials are looking at alternatives for the diesel buses is the rising cost of fuel. Diesel is costing around $5 per gallon in the Denali area. The hybrid bus requires about 70% less fuel. The current buses drive an average of 1.2 million miles each year, so that could offer substantial dollar savings.

There will be more initial costs if the park chooses to go fully hybrid. Each hybrid bus costs around twice as much as the normal diesel bus. The costs would balance out in the end with the purchase of less fuel.

Park managers fill that the quiet running of the hybrid buses will be the greatest feature. Visitors will be able to experience the park in a complete new way.