Blue Bird Receives its Largest Single Order of Electric School Buses

Blue Bird Corporation received its single largest order of electric school buses from a school district in its history, according to a press release. Modesto City Schools (Calif.) purchased 30 zero-emission school buses. The order will enable the school district to rapidly convert nearly half of its diesel-powered bus fleet to clean energy.

“The price of diesel fuel continues to skyrocket. Our Sustainability projects are designed to address climate change, reduce air pollution, and lead the next generation of students in learning about a sustainable lifestyle with renewable energy, carbon reduction, and clean mobility options,” said Tim Zearley, Associate Superintendent of Business Services, Modesto City Schools.

Modesto City Schools purchased Blue Bird All American Type D electric school buses. The district anticipates delivery of the vehicles later this year. Blue Bird electric buses can carry a maximum of 84 passengers for up to 120 miles on a single charge. They take between three and eight hours to fully recharge depending on the charging infrastructure, according to the company.

Blue Bird’s electric school buses were partially funded by California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). The California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched the program in 2009. HVIP is administered by CALSTART, a national clean transportation nonprofit consortium.