GreenPower Motor Co. Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, has launched the second round of its pilot project with the state of West Virginia to demonstrate all-electric school buses in Clay, Grant, Monongalia and Ohio county school districts. The second round of the pilot program will incorporate new terrains, colder weather and longer school bus routes.
Three all-electric GreenPower Type D BEAST school buses will be deployed in Grant, Monongalia and Ohio school districts, while Clay County will deploy the first all-electric Type A Nano BEAST with ADA capabilities in the state of West Virginia. As in the first round, GreenPower will work with the school districts to ensure adequate charging infrastructure is provided for the pilot. This is the second round of GreenPower’s pilot project done in cooperation with Gov. Jim Justice, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and the West Virginia Department of Education.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to bring clean transportation to areas across West Virginia and beyond and are thrilled to launch the second round of our pilot project to help school districts test GreenPower’s all-electric school buses in real world scenarios,” says Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower. “The difference in topical geography and weather will provide us valuable data and a good understanding of how the buses will perform in more mountainous terrain and a colder climate.”
GreenPower will collect data from the program including range, charging infrastructure needs and usage rates, operating and maintenance, student and parent acceptance. and more. The data will provide school districts and GreenPower a look into the transition from diesel to electric school buses to better protect the health and safety of communities and children from the contamination of NOx emissions.
“GreenPower works with school districts to provide the necessary education, training and support for them to integrate all-electric school buses into their fleet,” Atkinson continues, noting that GreenPower offers a comprehensive turn-key program to school districts that include the zero-emission electric school buses, electric vehicle charging systems and infrastructure, vehicle training and maintenance, deployment assistance and general education of the benefits of all-electric, zero-emission school buses.
“The best education is our number one priority at Grant County Schools, but we also have a responsibility to give our students a better planet as well,” states Mitch Webster, superintendent of Grant County Schools. “Through our participation in the GreenPower electric school bus pilot program, we can do our part too. Our students will have the opportunity to ride in an all-electric school bus from a company who manufactures these buses right here in our home state and we look forward to being part of the program.”
“Monongalia County Schools recognizes that electric buses will be a part of the future of school transportation and will shape how students travel to and from schools,” adds Dr. Eddie R. Campbell, superintendent of Monongalia County Schools. “With a major electric bus manufacturer producing buses right here in West Virginia – like the one we are excited to test – electric buses may one day reign over transportation in our county and throughout the state.”
“Our team is looking forward to participating in the GreenPower pilot program to receive first-hand experience driving and maintaining an electric school bus and all that entails,” mentions Tony Harris, director of transportation for Monongalia County Schools.
“Ohio County Schools is excited to be a pilot county for the GreenPower Pilot Project. We are proud to be a school system utilizing an electric bus in its fleet. Our drivers will have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback in this important initiative. This is a great opportunity for our students, staff and community,” says Dr. Kimberly Miller, superintendent of Ohio County Schools.
“Clay County Schools is excited to be the first school district in West Virginia to utilize GreenPower’s all-electric Nano BEAST school bus with ADA capabilities,” concludes Joe Paxton, superintendent of Clay County Schools. “We are constantly searching for new technologies to improve our district and experience for our students. We look forward to being a part of this project and the multitude of benefits of an all-electric fleet to come.”
