In this alternative fuel roundup, we take a look at the latest moves, manufacturing expansions, and deployments, including news from GreenPower, the state of New Jersey, Highland Electric Fleets, Nuvve, Topeka Public Schools, and InspireNOLA Charter Schools.

GreenPower Expands US Manufacturing in New Mexico with New Facility, Financing, and State Incentives

Electric vehicle manufacturer GreenPower Motor Company recently announced an agreement with the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) to establish operations in Santa Teresa, NM. The company is internationally headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with current operational facilities in Southern California and West Virginia.

The new 135,000 sq. ft. facility in Santa Teresa will become the company's base for North American operations and US corporate headquarters. The move is estimated to generate over $200 million in economic impact for New Mexico over the next decade, creating more than 340 jobs.

“After hosting a congressional briefing with GreenPower on strengthening domestic EV supply chains, it was clear that building these electric heavy-duty vehicles in America means creating high-quality jobs and staying competitive in the race for the future of transportation,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich.

Santa Teresa's Foreign Trade Zone designation was a key factor in the company's decision, offering streamlined customs and cost-effective trade that support efficient production and distribution of zero-emission vehicles across North America.

The state committed $14.6 million in strategic investment to provide the financial incentives necessary to establish the new manufacturing facility, which was a major factor in the company's decision to locate it in New Mexico.

Of the total, $5 million was offered through the New Mexico Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) program, which helps local governments support businesses locating in the state, focusing on job creation and economic growth through public-private partnerships. Additionally, GreenPower will receive $4.6 million in job training incentive funds (JTIP), $1.36 million in Rural Jobs Tax Credit (RJTC), and $3.65 million through New Mexico's High-Wage Jobs Tax Credit program.

GreenPower also received credit approval from CIBC for $5 million in financing facilities, comprised of a $3 million revolving line of credit and a $2 million term loan with a three-year term. Additionally, the company has received credit approval from CIBC to enter into a $450,000 letter of credit, secured by cash collateral, and a letter of credit facility of up to $2.5 million, subject to approval from another financial institution.

A portion of the net proceeds from the financings will be used to repay and close the company's existing operating line of credit, with the remainder used for general corporate purposes.

Over $18 Million in Funding Supports Electric School Bus Deployments in New Jersey

The Department of Environmental Protection today announced the award of nearly $32 million in grants that will advance New Jersey’s transition to zero-emission school buses to better protect the health of schoolchildren and improve public access to charging stations in the state’s communities.

More than $18 million was awarded through the Department of Environmental Protection’s second round of its Electric School Bus Grant Program for local purchases of 53 electric school buses and 41 associated fast chargers, which was authorized by legislation Governor Phil Murphy signed in 2022.

According to a release, grant recipients will receive technical assistance from the New Jersey Fleet Advisor to help them navigate key decisions related to transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. A personalized Fleet Electrification Roadmap will be developed to provide vehicle recommendations, cost projections, and on-site infrastructure assessments.

Grant recipients are distributed across the northern, central, and southern regions of the state, including 11 in overburdened communities. There are nine direct awards to schools and school districts, and five awards to bus contractors serving New Jersey schools.

In addition, $13.6 million was awarded through the EV Charging Grant Program for 26 public and private projects to install publicly accessible charging stations at or near town and retail centers, multi-unit housing, and transit hubs across the state.

Highland Electric Fleets Secures Equity Investment to Accelerate Expansion

Highland Electric Fleets announced today that it has secured up to $150 million in new equity financing from Aiga Capital Partners, which will help Highland expand into new markets and support additional deployments this year. It also supports Highland's ability to raise new equity and unlock additional debt capacity as it scales.

Highland recently announced that it will supply 500 electric school buses as the official electric school bus provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA, supporting transportation operations throughout the event. In parallel, Highland is expanding its broader Southern California presence with new depot and charging infrastructure across Los Angeles County.

Aiga Capital Partners, which specializes in essential infrastructure, invests in platforms that provide reliable services and durable community value. As part of this investment, Angel Fierro, managing partner of Aiga Capital Partners, will join Highland's Board of Directors.

"At Aiga, we back platforms that can scale essential infrastructure with consistency and discipline," Fierro said. "Highland's Electrification-as-a-Service model, supported by long-term contracts and a high-quality asset base, positions the company to lead the next chapter of fleet electrification, and we are excited to support their continued growth."

Rothschild & Co served as Highland's exclusive financial advisor, and Latham & Watkins served as its legal advisor. Aiga was advised by McDermott Will & Schulte.

Nuvve Expands Strategy to Focus on Energy Storage and Microgrids

Nuvve Holding Corp. recently released a letter to its stockholders announcing a strategic expansion of its business focus to include stationary energy storage systems and microgrids. According to a release, this “positions the company to capitalize on fast-growing, more mature energy markets while continuing to support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) innovation.”

“Nuvve has consolidated its long-term vision into a cohesive strategy centered on affordability, equity, and scalable grid solutions,” said CEO Gregory Poilasne. “The company operates at the intersection of technology and critical infrastructure, managing and deploying distributed energy resources that support grid resilience and lower energy costs for communities worldwide.”

The company’s technology platform was originally developed to deliver advanced grid services by aggregating electric vehicle batteries.

Years of development have produced a “sophisticated system capable of managing highly distributed, dynamic, and unpredictable assets,” capabilities that translate directly to stationary battery storage and microgrid applications. Today, Nuvve’s growth strategy is firmly centered on energy storage and microgrids across Northern Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

“V2G remains an important long-term opportunity, yet the market adoption for stationary energy storage and microgrids is happening now,” added Poilasne. “This strategic shift allows us to deploy our proven technology into markets with immediate revenue potential.”

EPA Funding Supports 25 Electric School Buses in Kansas District

Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 marked the next phase of its electric school bus project with a ribbon-cutting event celebrating 25 electric school buses now in service across the Kansas district. The electric school buses were supported in part by an award of over $7.6 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program.

The project is delivered by Highland Electric Fleets, in partnership with North American Central School Bus (NACSB) and its local operating partner, Kansas Central School Bus.

The addition of the electric buses supports the district's transportation planning and reflects continued investment in reliable student transportation. The buses are Thomas Built Jouley models with an estimated 150-mile range.

"This project reflects careful planning and coordination to ensure our transportation system continues to meet the needs of students and families across Topeka," said Chief Bill Cochran, general director of transportation and campus police at Topeka Public Schools.

As part of the project, Highland Electric Fleets worked closely with NACSB to deliver a depot-based electrification solution that integrates with existing fleet operations. Charging infrastructure includes 25 Kempower 30kW chargers.

"Strong partnerships are what make projects like this work," said Duncan McIntyre, CEO of Highland Electric Fleets. "Working alongside Topeka Public Schools and North American Central School Bus, we're delivering an electric fleet that supports predictable operating costs and helps provide healthy, reliable transportation for students."

InspireNOLA Charter Schools Deploys Louisiana's Largest Electric School Bus Fleet

InspireNOLA Charter Schools has deployed 42 electric school buses serving students across New Orleans, representing the largest electric school bus deployment in Louisiana to date. According to a release, the buses support daily transportation for more than 3,000 students across InspireNOLA schools.

The electric buses are operated by A&S Transportation and supported by Highland Electric Fleets. The fleet replaces traditional diesel buses while maintaining reliable service across 58 daily routes totaling more than 3,400 miles.

"This significant milestone is about leading with intention and putting students first," said InspireNOLA Charter Schools CEO Jamar McKneely. "Deploying 42 electric buses allows us to reduce emissions, improve our students' daily travel experience through air-conditioned transportation, and set a new standard for sustainability and innovation in public education in Louisiana."

The fleet includes IC Bus Type C electric school buses, supported by a dedicated charging depot featuring seven Kempower C800 power cabinets, providing 52 total charge ports via satellite dispensers, enabling efficient overnight charging and operational flexibility.

Funding for the project includes awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program and available federal tax credits. Through Highland's model, InspireNOLA can deploy electric buses without incurring additional upfront costs.