SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Thomas Built gets first order for SCR-equipped HDX buses

Fifty-nine of the manufacturer’s Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses featuring selective catalytic reduction technology will be delivered to a Maryland school district in June and July 2010.

December 18, 2009
1 min to read


HIGH POINT, N.C. — Fifty-nine Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology will be delivered to Montgomery County (Md.) Public Schools in June and July 2010 by Thomas Built dealer American Bus Sales and Service.

“Montgomery County Public Schools is the first customer to order SCR-equipped Thomas Built HDXs,” said John O’Leary, president and CEO of Thomas Built. “We know that the district’s confidence in Thomas Built Buses is built on years of experience with our vehicles and is a reflection of the outstanding relationship and service American Bus Sales offers its customers.” 

Todd Watkins, director of transportation for Montgomery County Public Schools, elaborated on the department’s longstanding relationship with Thomas Built Buses saying, “Thomas is very responsive to its customers. In the past, we’ve made suggestions for improvements and the new equipment reflects those changes.” 

The Saf-T-Liner HDX is a Type D, rear-engine school bus. The units will incorporate SCR technology to meet 2010 emissions standards (SCR reduces tailpipe emissions by treating the exhaust stream with a spray of Diesel Exhaust Fluid). SCR also maximizes fuel efficiency and engine performance.

More Alternative Fuels

Children board a yellow electric school bus from Central Consolidated School District during snowfall, as an adult assists students at the bus entrance.

GreenPower Unveils New Heating Solution for Type A Bus

The all-electric bus manufacturer's new product aims to eliminate cold-cabin issues on its Nano BEAST zero-emission school buses operating in cold climates.

Read More →
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of an electric bus charger and text reading "Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Plug In For the Long Haul."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesMay 22, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Plug In for the Long Haul

School districts across the U.S. are moving electric school bus plans into operation, with new fleet deployments, charging infrastructure, and long-term electrification partnerships taking shape.

Read More →
Thumbnail graphic for a School Bus Fleet interview at ACT Expo featuring a smiling BetterFleet executive seated in front of a fleet technology booth display. Overlay text reads “BetterFleet” and “The G Problem in V2G.”
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettMay 22, 2026

The Achilles Heel of School Bus Electrification: BetterFleet’s Take

BetterFleet’s managing partner discusses AI-powered EV fleet management, vehicle-to-grid challenges, and the real challenges in bus electrification today, from ACT Expo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A red, black, and white graphic with text reading "The Fuel Decision is Yours."
Alternative FuelsMay 20, 2026

You're On Your Own to Pick a Drivetrain [Op-Ed]

After years of federal pressure toward electric school buses, districts are suddenly being told to choose their own path. Let’s explore the risks, realities, and politics behind school bus drivetrain decisions.

Read More →
Mark Childers of Thomas Built Buses stands in front of a large yellow electric school bus at ACT Expo while discussing the company’s new Type D EV school bus platform. Overlay text reads “The Big New EV School Bus” with School Bus Fleet at ACT Expo branding.
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettMay 19, 2026

Wattson: Thomas Built’s Largest EV School Bus Yet

Check in with Mark Childers on the new Wattson Type D electric school bus, featuring faster charging, expanded passenger capacity, and advanced safety technology.

Read More →
Russell Vare of The Mobility House sits at the company’s ACT Expo booth discussing vehicle-to-grid technology and smart EV charging for school bus fleets. Overlay text reads “V2G Goes Mainstream” alongside School Bus Fleet at ACT Expo branding.
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettMay 15, 2026

The New Era of Electric School Buses: V2G, Bidirectional Chargers & More

The Mobility House discusses AI-powered charging, vehicle-to-grid technology, smart energy management, and the next phase of school bus electrification.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Workers assemble a large Proterra EV battery pack inside a manufacturing facility, using an overhead crane to position the battery module onto a chassis frame. American and South Carolina state flags hang above the production floor, with additional battery packs stacked nearby.

Now Made in America: Proterra Turns to U.S.-Built EV Batteries

Proterra announced a new U.S.-sourced battery cell option for its Onyx platform, boosting domestic content by more than 600% and strengthening EV supply chain resilience for commercial vehicle OEMs.

Read More →
Promotional graphic from School Bus Fleet at ACT Expo featuring a Proterra representative standing beside a battery display booth. Large text reads “Proterra” and “Safer EV Bus Batteries.” The background shows battery components and attendees at the ACT Expo trade show floor.
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettMay 15, 2026

A Look at the Battery Technology Powering Electric School Buses

Check in with Proterra on next-generation EV battery technology for school buses, including safety innovations, predictive diagnostics, EPA 2027 readiness, and the future of transportation from ACT Expo.

Read More →
Thumbnail image for a School Bus Fleet video at ACT Expo featuring a Ride/BYD representative standing in front of a yellow electric school bus. Overlay text reads “RIDE/BYD” and “Ride’s EV Bus Strategy,” with School Bus Fleet and ACT Expo branding in the top left corner.
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettMay 13, 2026

A Look at RIDE’s Push to Scale Electric School Buses

Let’s talk EV school bus demand, battery safety, V2G technology, and the future of electric student transportation at ACT Expo 2026 with leaders from RIDE.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail image for a School Bus Fleet video at ACT Expo featuring an IC Bus representative standing beside a yellow electric CE Series school bus. Overlay text reads “IC Bus” and “1,500 EV School Buses,” with School Bus Fleet and ACT Expo branding in the top left corner.
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettMay 12, 2026

Inside IC Bus’ Next-Gen Electric CE Series School Bus

In this video from ACT Expo, IC Bus EV sales director Alec Borror discusses next-generation electric school buses, driver feedback, and the future of bus electrification.

Read More →