PORTERVILLE, Calif. — GreenPower Motor Co. Inc. is conducting a demonstration tour of its Synapse 72 all-electric Type D school bus to school districts and charter schools throughout California.

The tour will initially be focused on showing the Synapse 72 and obtaining orders from the 18 school districts and charter schools that have been selected by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the 13 recipients of grants from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCAQMD) for the purchase of all-electric school buses.

The SCAQMD has currently approved awards for 33 electric Type C or Type D school buses and the associated charging infrastructure to 16 public school districts and two charter schools for a total amount of up to $8,844,000. To be eligible for funding, an applicant must receive approval for HVIP funds from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). After subtracting the HVIP voucher amount, the SCAQMD funds will then be used to pay for the balance of the electric school bus up to $248,000.

Meanwhile, the NCAQMD is administering the Rural School Bus Pilot Project for the state through a partnership with Sen. Mike McGuire and CARB. A total of 22 school districts have been selected with an initial allocation of 29 school buses. The buses are required to incorporate various technologies, 19 of which must be zero emission (either battery electric or fuel cell), according to GreenPower. The funding for a zero-emission school bus can be up to $400,000 with an additional $5,000 for the related infrastructure.

GreenPower’s Synapse 72 all-electric Type D school bus has been approved by CARB for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. The voucher provides up to $110,000 for each Synapse 72 sold for use in a disadvantaged community in California.

“The Synapse 72 utilizes GreenPower’s high floor platform and clean sheet design, making it the first purpose built all-electric school bus in existence,” said Brendan Riley, president of GreenPower. “This bus features the safety and durability of an integrated, monocoque structure, contemporary styling, stable and responsive handling, a mono-volume interior, fully configurable passenger compartment all with the quiet and smooth power of an all-electric drivetrain.”