GreenPower Motor Company Inc., announced on Sept. 18 that it has received a series of orders for six GreenPower all-electric zero-emission school buses from its Arizona dealer RWC Group. The buses are funded under through EPA Clean School Bus Program, and will be going to three different school districts in Arizona. 

According to the company's news release, RWC Group is working on additional orders of GreenPower all-electric school buses funded by the program.

“The GreenPower Type D BEAST and Type A Nano BEAST all-electric school buses are perfectly designed to meet the needs of school districts in Arizona,” said Tom Hartman, general manager – bus for RWC Group. “The BEAST that was deployed earlier this year at the Phoenix Elementary School District No. 1 has performed as expected without any issues, getting kids to and from school in a safe, cleaner and sustainable fashion.”

Through this order, Osborn School District #8 in Phoenix will receive three Type D BEAST school buses, Joseph City School District will receive one Type D BEAST and one Type A Nano BEAST, and Roosevelt School District No. 66 in Phoenix will receive one Type D BEAST.

“It is exciting to see more GreenPower all-electric school buses being purchased for Arizona schools,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “At GreenPower, we understand the importance of providing safe transportation for school children to and from school and for extra circular activities and are pleased to manufacture school buses that provide for that ride in a clean, healthy environment.” 

GreenPower’s BEAST is a 40-foot Type D electric school bus with seating for up to 90. It features an aluminum body made from extruded aluminum manufactured by Constellium on a high-strength steel Truss chassis. Its flat floor design allows for tracking with no obstacles, and the high floors keep students out of the crash zone. It boasts a range of up to 150 miles with dual port charging standard. The company says it has Level 2 rates up to 19.2 kW and DCFC rates up to 85 kW, with wireless charging available as an option.

The Nano BEAST has a standard 118 kwh battery pack and a range of up to 140 miles and seats up to 24 passengers, The dual port charging is standard, with Level 2 rates up to 19.2 kW and DCFC rates up to 60 kW, with wireless charging also available as an option.