The latest Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley that recently arrived to Monroe County Community School Corporation in Indiana is the 200th Proterra-powered electric school bus of its kind delivered in North America.

Thomas Built Buses announced the milestone this week. Monroe was the first Indiana county to get an electric school bus back in fall 2020. Since then, the company reports, the district ordered two in 2021 and 10 in 2022.

“Our district is delighted to have received the 200^th Jouley from (Thomas Built Buses) as we continue to lead electrification efforts for our students, staff, and the larger Bloomington community,” said Dr. Jeff Hauswald, superintendent for the school district. “Beyond the long-term cost savings benefits, converting our fleet also helps us meet safety and sustainability goals set forth by school administration, reducing CO2 emissions by 27 tons, and saving 1,080 gallons of diesel per bus in our fleet. With every additional bus we convert, we’re only adding to those numbers.”

This will be the sixth delivery of 13 electric school buses ordered by the district from Kerlin Bus Sales, a full-service Thomas Built Buses dealer in Indiana. MCCSC has committed to electrify all (approximately 85) primary bus routes by 2028, exclusively with Jouley electric buses. The district has been applauded for its strong electrification efforts, including recognition of the Electric School Bus Fleet Award by Drive Clean Indiana.

Jouley is powered by Proterra electric vehicle technology and is equipped with 226 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of total energy capacity, a two-speed transmission, and an estimated operating range of up to 138 miles. Thomas Built Buses reports that it is currently the only school bus manufacturer to offer DC (direct current) fast charging architecture as standard equipment. Jouley can charge in approximately three hours and can supply power back to the power grid using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.

“We are thrilled to pave the way for a cleaner future for the children in Indiana and across the country,” said Kevin Bangston, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “We believe electric school buses to be the future of pupil transportation and with quieter operation, lower operating costs and zero emissions, MCCSC will continue to reap the cost and societal benefits of school bus fleet conversion. This milestone delivery is an important marker for Thomas Built Buses on our mission to provide school districts with the tools and technology needed to transition to cleaner futures for our students and communities.”

“Schools across America are driving towards a clean transportation future. Proterra congratulates Monroe County schools for their leadership in the growing movement of school districts that are embracing zero-emission, all-electric school buses. Now, with 200 Proterra Powered electric school buses on the road, we look forward to helping clean the air for more schoolkids and communities throughout the country,” said Chris Bailey, President of Proterra Powered & Energy.

Thomas Built Buses and Proterra also offer school bus operators a turn-key electric vehicle program that includes EV planning and funding consultation, electric school buses, charging systems, and charging infrastructure design and installation.

“Kerlin Bus Sales is on a mission to make Indiana a pioneer for electric school bus operation and fleet management in the U.S.,” said Melanie Zehr, vice president of Kerlin Bus Sales. “MCCSC is a leading example of the many benefits beyond zero emissions that make the transition to electric worthwhile, including greater fuel cost savings as well as lower maintenance and operating costs."