GreenPower Motor Company Inc. has moved forward in its target to deliver more electric buses supported by EPA Clean School Bus Program. Today, the manufacturer announced that it has finalized orders for 50 all-electric Type D BEAST, Mega BEAST, Type A Nano BEAST, and Nano BEAST Access school buses for seven county school districts in West Virginia. The order was made through GreenPower’s West Virginia dealer.

Last April, the OEM projected 88 deliveries of EV buses to schools in the state.

The 50 buses will be going to:

• Cabell County School District – 6 BEASTs

• Calhoun County School District – 3 BEASTs and 1 Nano BEAST

• Clay County School District – 3 BEASTs

• County School District – 3 BEASTs and 2 Nano BEASTs

• Kanawha County School District – 21 BEASTs

• Lewis County School District – 6 BEASTs

• Monongalia County School District – 1 Mega BEAST and 4 Nano BEASTs

Last year, GreenPower concluded an all-electric school bus pilot program in the same state. The nine-month trial covered more than 32,000 miles in 18 counties, representing one-third of the school districts in W.V. More than 100 school bus drivers drove the GreenPowerType D BEAST andType A Nano BEAST for six weeks between September 2022 and May 2023 and provided feedback at the conclusion of each round. Results can be found in the press release.

“As the statewide dealer, we partnered with GreenPower as the OEM to first meet individually with each school district to gauge their interest in participating in the grant process. Each of the schools had participated in the #YesWV All-Electric School Bus Pilot Project, so they were familiar with GreenPower’s school buses and knew they were well suited to meet the transportation needs of their students,” said Steve Ellis, VP of sales for GreenPower’s dealer. “The schools then all came together as a group and jointly decided how to proceed with the application process.”

GreenPower collaborated with its dealer and Highland Electric Fleets for each district. They provided guidance on the charging infrastructure, drafted the application, met with the school districts’ boards of education for approval, and submitted the grant application to the EPA.

“EPA has previously awarded $18.5 million to purchase 50 GreenPower all-electric school buses and provide for the charging infrastructure associated with these purpose-built EVs,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. The order is increased from the original 47 school buses announced by the EPA in January because Monongalia County School District is required to pay an additional $550,000 from its own school bus replenishment funds since the county is defined as non-priority by EPA.

“GreenPower’s all-electric school buses are eligible for rebate funding under the current round of the federal Clean School Bus Program and for the California Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program,” said Paul Start, GreenPower’s VP of sales – School Bus Group. “Applications for the $965 million in Clean School Bus Program funding are due by January 9, 2025 and for the $500 million ZESBI funding by November 22, 2024.” For assistance with grant applications, school districts can email paul.s@greenpowermotor.com.

GreenPower’s BEAST is a purpose-built 40-foot Type D all-electric, zero-emission school bus with seating for up to 90 students. Dual port charging is standard with Level 2 rates up to 19.2 kW and DC Fast Charging rates up to 85 kW.

The Mega BEAST has a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge via a 387 kWh battery pack. It has the biggest battery pack in the school bus market, provides for more uphill climbing power, and is V2G capable.

The Nano BEAST has a standard 118 kWh battery pack and a range of up to 140 miles. Configured for up to 24 passengers, the dual port charging is standard, with Level 2 rates up to 19.2 kW and DC Fast Charging rates up to 60 kW. The Nano BEAST Access has seating for up to 18 ambulatory passengers and up to 3+ Q’STRAINT wheelchair securements, complemented with a BraunAbility rear curbside lift.