GreenPower Launches All-Electric School Buses in West Virginia Under EPA Program

GreenPower Delivers All-Electric School Buses to West Virginia

GreenPower Motor Company Inc. has made headlines by announcing the successful delivery of the first four all-electric BEAST school buses to Kanawha County School District in West Virginia. This groundbreaking initiative comes as part of Round 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program (CSBP), which aims to enhance environmentally friendly transportation options for America’s youth.

Motivated by federal support under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this latest project involved a significant allocation of $18.565 million for West Virginia, intended to deploy 50 GreenPower school buses across seven school districts. The efforts to get these all-electric, purpose-built buses manufactured and delivered within a mere 90 days illustrate GreenPower’s commitment to timely and effective service in educational transportation.

GreenPower President Brendan Riley expressed satisfaction over the rapid turnaround, saying, “We take our role seriously in ensuring timely delivery of safe, sustainable, and sensible school buses manufactured in the U.S.” He emphasized the importance of reliable transportation for the 25 million children who depend on school buses daily.

The journey towards this achievement faced brief delays due to a temporary freeze on federal spending initiated during the previous administration. However, with the dedication of West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, breakthrough negotiations led to the expedited disbursement of grant funding.

Senator Capito, who leads the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has been vocal about the need for improvements in the CSBP, advocating for a funding allocation process that prioritizes merit over chance. According to Riley, the competitive nature of the Round 2 grant allocation serves as an example of effective use of taxpayer dollars and reflects Congressional intentions when the CSBP was created.

In the subsequent weeks, further deliveries of GreenPower's electric buses are planned, contributing to the complete deployment of the allotted 50 buses. Following the Kanawha County School District, Grant County Public Schools is set to receive their buses as they establish the necessary charging infrastructure with Highland Electric Fleets.

GreenPower stands as a pioneering American manufacturer, setting itself apart as the exclusive all-electric Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) producing both a Class 4 Type A school bus and a Class 8 Type D school bus. The BEAST, tailored for safety and sustainability, can accommodate up to 90 students with features designed to protect young passengers. Its aluminum body and high-strength steel truss chassis showcase innovation in design, ensuring durability and efficiency in the school transportation sector.

Additionally, the Nano BEAST, an award-winning alternative, captures attention with its 118 kWh battery and a range of up to 140 miles. Configured for 24 passengers, this bus also embodies GreenPower’s commitment to robust and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

GreenPower continues to navigate the evolving landscape of electric vehicles with its unwavering commitment to safe and sustainable public transit solutions. With operations primarily based in southern California and a core team focused on locally manufactured solutions, GreenPower emerges as a formidable contributor to the future of school transportation across the United States.