Thomas Built develops hybrid bus
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has developed and begun evaluating a prototype of a hybrid Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus. The prototype is po...
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has developed and begun evaluating a prototype of a hybrid Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus.
The prototype is powered by a Mercedes-Benz diesel engine, an Eaton Corp. transmission and an electric motor. It was developed jointly by Thomas Built, Eaton and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.
Officials said that the vehicle should reduce emissions and improve fuel economy by 30 percent or more.
“Thomas Built is very committed to advancing hybrid technology in our school buses,” President and CEO John O’Leary said. “That said, we want to make sure we have a well-tested and reliable product before bringing it to market.”
The powertrain used in the hybrid bus has been refined for more than two years in a delivery van application developed by Freightliner Custom Chassis and Eaton. Approximately 200 of those vehicles have been built and are in operation.
Officials said that testing of the hybrid vans has revealed a fuel savings of 300 to 450 gallons per year, based on an annual mileage of 10,000.
The hybrid prototype will be unveiled at pupil transportation industry events this year, including the STN Expo in Reno, Nev., in July and the NAPT Conference and Trade Show in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in October.
More Alternative Fuels
A Solution Helping School Buses Charge Without Major Infrastructure Upgrades
Power Innovations International dishes on its EV charging technology designed to reduce infrastructure barriers, improve reliability, and support V2G applications for school bus fleets.
Read More →
New Eagle Launches All-in-One EV Control Platform
The new OpenECU NX3 platform integrates charging and vehicle controls into a single platform, with support for megawatt charging and vehicle-to-grid technologies.
Read More →
GreenPower Unveils New Heating Solution for Type A Bus
The all-electric bus manufacturer's new product aims to eliminate cold-cabin issues on its Nano BEAST zero-emission school buses operating in cold climates.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Plug In for the Long Haul
School districts across the U.S. are moving electric school bus plans into operation, with new fleet deployments, charging infrastructure, and long-term electrification partnerships taking shape.
Read More →
The Achilles Heel of School Bus Electrification: BetterFleet’s Take
BetterFleet’s managing partner discusses AI-powered EV fleet management, vehicle-to-grid challenges, and the real challenges in bus electrification today, from ACT Expo.
Read More →
You're On Your Own to Pick a Drivetrain [Op-Ed]
After years of federal pressure toward electric school buses, districts are suddenly being told to choose their own path. Let’s explore the risks, realities, and politics behind school bus drivetrain decisions.
Read More →
Wattson: Thomas Built’s Largest EV School Bus Yet
Check in with Mark Childers on the new Wattson Type D electric school bus, featuring faster charging, expanded passenger capacity, and advanced safety technology.
Read More →
The New Era of Electric School Buses: V2G, Bidirectional Chargers & More
The Mobility House discusses AI-powered charging, vehicle-to-grid technology, smart energy management, and the next phase of school bus electrification.
Read More →
Now Made in America: Proterra Turns to U.S.-Built EV Batteries
Proterra announced a new U.S.-sourced battery cell option for its Onyx platform, boosting domestic content by more than 600% and strengthening EV supply chain resilience for commercial vehicle OEMs.
Read More →
A Look at the Battery Technology Powering Electric School Buses
Check in with Proterra on next-generation EV battery technology for school buses, including safety innovations, predictive diagnostics, EPA 2027 readiness, and the future of transportation from ACT Expo.
Read More →