Phoenix Motor Inc., a manufacturer of all-electric, medium-duty vehicles, has a contract order for 10 all-electric, zero-emission Type A school buses to be deployed from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The contract was executed this summer and calls for the deployment of 10 Phoenix school buses in the District of Columbia during 2024. The Phoenix Type A school buses will be built on Ford E-450 chassis powered by Phoenix’s 150-mile range battery electric drive system, and with a Pegasus Orion school bus body.

“This is a vital first step to improving our carbon footprint and improving air quality in and around our schools and communities,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “The new electric buses will support our efforts to operate a cleaner and greener bus fleet in our community. We are grateful to Phoenix Motorcars and Pegasus Specialty Vehicles for their partnership in helping to better protect the health of children across the District."

The Phoenix vehicles can be fully charged in less than two hours with a 100 kW Level III charger. The school buses, compared to their equivalent fossil-fueled alternatives, can reduce atmospheric emissions by approximately 79 tons per vehicle annually, reduce maintenance costs by around 75%, and lower fuel costs by approximately 80%.

“Phoenix is proud to be entering the electric school bus market. With this order, the District of Columbia is taking great steps to electrify its school bus fleet and cleaning the air quality near its students and in its communities,” said Denton Peng, Phoenix’s CEO. “Our goal is to pave the way for the electrification of Type A school buses across America, and this project is a milestone for Phoenix Motorcars and our efforts to bring our leading electric drive system to every school district. We are committed to being the leader in zero-emission Type A school buses and are excited to be partnered with Pegasus Specialty Vehicles.”

With nearly 5 million all-electric miles driven on its zero-emission drive systems, Phoenix has extensive experience and expertise helping public and private fleets successfully deploy and adopt electric vehicles into their fleets, enhancing the air quality and providing clean, quiet and safe zero-emission transportation and mobility for their companies and communities.

"Phoenix Motorcars is committed to our quest to be the leader in zero-emission Type A school buses, and we are excited to be partnered with Pegasus Specialty Vehicles," said Thomas Allen, vice president of sales for Phoenix Motorcars. "With this order, we are unveiling our state-of-the-art drive system into the American school bus market and are delighted to deploy our first school bus order in our nation's capital."

“We couldn’t be happier to be able to partner with Phoenix Motorcars on this initial order for 10 Type A school buses with Phoenix for the DC Schools,” said Pegasus President Brian Barrington. “We feel that utilizing our Orion body with the durable Phoenix EV drive system will be a great combination!”