The GreenPower Motor Company continues to make solid progress in the advancement of battery-electric school bus fleets. Its latest announcement is proof.
The Vancouver-based manufacturer of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles has just announced the signing of a deal with the state of New Mexico worth over $5 million for the purchase and deployment of zero-emission school buses.
[Related: GreenPower's first all-electric buses roll off production line]
This two-year pilot project will see the deployment of six zero-emission school buses, three of which will be GreenPower's Type A Nano BEAST Access buses and three Type D buses, including the BEAST and Mega BEAST.
The Type A buses will begin service for the upcoming school year while the Type Ds will arrive for the 2026-27 academic year. GreenPower says that the buses will rotate around the state in five, six-week-long pilot rounds each school year. The company is also tasked with the installation of critical infrastructure, specifically charging systems, overall management, and all necessary driver and mechanic training.
The company is partnering with Highland Electric Fleets for the installation of the charging infrastructure.
Both Level 3 DC fast chargers and Level 2 chargers will be installed under GreenPower's supervision. The project's second year of operation will include a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) evaluation with the 40-foot Type D Mega BEAST. This bus boasts a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge thanks to its massive 387 kWh battery pack.
[Related: GreenPower's BEAST EV school bus finds new customers]
Because of the Type D's class-leading range, its uphill climbing power stands out from competitors and, equally important, cost-effective V2G capability for better grid stabilization.
"We are particularly interested in evaluating charging as a part of the pilot project," said Mark Roper, director of the economic development division within the New Mexico Economic Development Department. "Range, charging rates and grid resiliency are critical components of switching to all-electric, zero-emission vehicles."
GreenPower confirms it will set up a soon-to-be finalized location in the state to help oversee the project's implementation.
"The New Mexico pilot project provides an opportunity to expand the reach of GreenPower's zero-emission school bus product and gives parents, kids and school districts in the state the opportunity to evaluate the transition to all-electric, purpose-built school buses," said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. "The project is leveraging the successful pilot that GreenPower conducted in West Virginia, but also has a concentration on evaluating charging options and infrastructure."
