SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trans Tech eTrans goes on N.Y. tour

The manufacturer's all-electric bus makes a stop at the Empire State Plaza in Albany on Thursday for a government VIP and media ride-along. Officials say the bus, which features an electric chassis from Smith Electric Vehicles, has a trip range of approximately 120 to 130 miles per charge and produces zero emissions.

April 26, 2012
2 min to read


Trans Tech Bus’ eTrans all-electric school bus is making a stop during its upstate New York tour at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y., on Thursday.

The stop is for a government VIP and media ride-along, according to Trans Tech President Dan Daniels.

Ad Loading...

“We are excited about the Albany debut of our eTrans all-electric school bus,” Daniels said. “This is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the future of pupil transportation. We are proud of the fact that we are building the eTrans in New York state; we feel New York can still be a place where innovative companies can set the standard for the world.”

Trans Tech Bus is building its eTrans all-electric school bus at its manufacturing facility in Warwick using an electric chassis from Smith Electric Vehicles.

The eTrans has Trans Tech Bus’ distinctive aerodynamic design and is able to carry up to 52 passengers. It runs on a 120kw induction motor, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 60 mph.

The school bus reportedly has a trip range of approximately 120 to 130 miles per charge from its two lithium-ion batteries, depending on load and driving conditions. The recharging system allows the school bus to recharge almost anywhere, taking approximately six to eight hours to fully charge, according to the company.

The eTrans produces zero emissions; it is also completely customizable and can be equipped with lifts for special-needs students, optional auxiliary power units for air conditioning and heating, and all the things school districts and contractors are accustomed to ordering, company officials said.

Ad Loading...

Trans Tech Bus recently sold its first eTrans to Kings Canyon Unified School District in California.

"The market has been calling for an all-electric school bus for years, and now Trans Tech Bus, in conjunction with our partners at Smith Electric Vehicles, have made it a reality,” Daniels said. “We are looking forward to showcasing the eTrans in Albany. This Thursday’s ride-along is just another step toward an even greener pupil transportation system.”

More Alternative Fuels

An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of electric Thomas Built Buses and text reading "Alt-Fuel Moves: Racking Up Miles & Scaling Up Fleets."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesApril 27, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Racking Up Miles & Scaling Up Fleets

Electric school buses are hitting the road in greater numbers as fleets expand, infrastructure catches up, and mileage accumulates.

Read More →
Image of the outdoor vehicle expo at Virginia Clean Cities' Rally at Richmond event.
Alternative Fuelsby StaffApril 13, 2026

Virginia Clean Cities Celebrates 30 Years, Highlights Award Winners in School Bus Innovation

At its annual rally, the organization spotlighted propane and electric school bus advancements while recognizing leaders driving forward-looking student transportation.

Read More →
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of an electric IC Bus school bus and text reading "Funding & the Road to Electrification."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesApril 8, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Funding & the Road to Electrification

From federal oversight fixes to state funding milestones and district deployments, the transition to cleaner school transportation continues to advance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A yellow school bus drives along a rural road surrounded by green grass and trees under a partly cloudy sky. Overlaid text reads “SAF-T-LINER C2 GASOLINE ARRIVES,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.

Thomas Built Buses Adds Gasoline Engine Option to Saf-T-Liner C2 School Bus Lineup

The gasoline-powered bus features the Cummins B6.7 Octane engine and industry-first compression brake, joining the OEM's C2 powertrain lineup for 2026.

Read More →
Row of yellow school buses with overlay text reading “The essential guide to school bus fleet maintenance: Maximizing safety and uptime” and the Geotab logo.
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

Data-Driven School Bus Maintenance Guide

Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.

Read More →
Graphic displaying InCharge Energy and Foreseeson logos over an aerial facility background, highlighting a partnership to expand EV charging infrastructure in Canada.

InCharge Energy Plugs Into Canada with New Key Partnerships

InCharge Energy has expanded into Canada through partnerships with RocketEV and Foreseeson, aiming to deliver end-to-end EV charging infrastructure and support for fleet and public-sector customers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic titled “Canada’s First Electric School Bus Report Card: 2026” with CESBA branding and an image of the report cover featuring a map of Canada

Report: Canada's Transition to Electric School Buses Lags Behind Goals

Canada’s first electric school bus report card finds that most provinces are failing the transition away from diesel buses used for student transportation.

Read More →
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of Blue Bird propane school buses.
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesMarch 19, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: EV Charging Expansion & Fleet Deployments

From EV charging growth to V2G testing and new bus deployments, districts and providers advance alt-fuel goals amid challenges.

Read More →
Buyers Guide and Directory thumbnail
SponsoredMarch 13, 2026

2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide

Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Front view of an IC Bus next generation electric CE Series bus driving on a suburban street.
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesFebruary 27, 2026

EPA Revamps Clean School Bus Program, 2024 Rebates Halted

The EPA will open a 45-day comment period and is planning a March 3 webinar as it reshapes Clean School Bus funding for 2026.

Read More →