Blue Bird to develop a zero-emissions electric-powered school bus
that may fund school districts through ‘Vehicle-to-Grid’ (V2G) technology
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
In December of 2016, the Department of Energy announced that they would
be awarding $15M to organizations in an effort to accelerate the
adoption of advanced and alternative fuel vehicles. Blue Bird
Corporation, a bus manufacturer located in Fort Valley, GA, was
presented the largest amount at $4.4M in order to develop a
zero-emissions, 100% V2G electric school bus.
“As the leader in alternative fuel bus solutions, the addition of an
electric school bus rounds out our portfolio,” says Phil Horlock,
President and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Thanks to this award from
the Department of Energy, we will be able to pursue the development of
this technology based on our many years of research. As we celebrate our
90th anniversary in 2017, the timing of this grant is
impeccable!”
One of the stipulations of the award is that the bus will be an
affordable, ‘low cost’ electric bus solution. Additionally, Blue Bird is
looking to implement technology, known as V2G, that will allow the bus
to put electricity back into the grid – which may help bring much-needed
funds to school districts. “This initiative will provide resources to
explore alternative fuels for school transportation while sending energy
back to the grid,” said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. “The development of a
low-cost electric school bus is an investment that could save state
resources in the long term. We are excited to see Blue Bird develop this
new technology here in Georgia.”
“Blue Bird has a solid reputation and the company has been an asset to
Georgia's economy,” said U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson. “I applaud the
decision by the Department of Energy and other entities to award this
funding to a company that continues to make a positive impact.”
However, Blue Bird is not unfamiliar with this technology. “We were
first to market with an electric school bus in 1994,” explained Dennis
Whitaker, Vice President of Product Development for Blue Bird. “Since
then, we have been closely monitoring this technology, and have found
that recent battery management advances have made this project viable.
We should see our first new Blue Bird electric school bus in 2019.”
As a zero-emissions vehicle, this electric bus will be able to take away
thousands of pounds of particulate matter from the air, making a
positive impact on the environment, and the children these buses
transport. “I am thrilled that Blue Bird has been awarded this grant by
the Department of Energy,” said U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop,
representative of Middle and Southwest Georgia. “Not only has Blue Bird
contributed to the local community for over 90 years by providing jobs,
but it has also produced a multitude of ‘green’ vehicles in recent
years. I am excited to see they are now able to produce even more
solutions that positively impact the environment and future generations
of bus riders.”
According to Michael Simon, President and CEO of TransPower, this
electric bus solution could also create additional jobs throughout the
US. “Once these electric buses go into production, there is a huge
potential for job growth,” said Simon. “Supplying electric drive
components for say, 500 buses a year, would have the potential to create
up to 250 new jobs in California.”
Kevin Matthews, Managing Director for National Strategies, whose firm
developed the application and will serve as project manager, stated
that; “This project will take us far down the road to deploying and
operating a Zero Emission School Bus that is cost effective for school
districts across the United States. We thank DoE for this award, and
applaud Blue Bird’s leadership in this arena.”
Combined with matching funding from other public and private entities in
California, the total project funding will be over $9M and result in an
eight bus demonstration fleet deployed in California by 2019.
About Blue Bird Corporation:Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) is the
leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, with more
than 550,000 buses sold since its formation in 1927 and approximately
180,000 buses in operation today. Blue Bird’s longevity and reputation
in the school bus industry have made it an iconic American brand. Blue
Bird distinguishes itself from its principal competitors by its singular
focus on the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of school buses
and related parts. As the only manufacturer of chassis and body
production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird
is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety,
product quality/reliability/durability, operating costs and drivability.
In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative fuel
applications with its propane-powered and compressed natural gas-powered
school buses. Blue Bird manufactures school buses at two facilities in
Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Micro Bird joint venture operates a
manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. Service and
after-market parts are distributed from Blue Bird’s parts distribution
center located in Delaware, Ohio. For more information on Blue Bird’s
complete line of buses, visit www.blue-bird.com.
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Blue Bird Corporation
Justyne Lobello, 478-396-3487
[email protected]
Source: Blue Bird Corporation