Blue Bird electric school buses are on the way to customers in
California and Ontario
FORT VALLEY, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Blue Bird just delivered the first electric-powered school buses to
customers in California and Ontario, just in time for the new school
year. Seven Type-D All American Rear Engine Electric school buses and
one Type A Micro Bird G5 Electric school bus will be in operation this
year.
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Blue Bird Delivered 7 All American RE Electric Buses and one Micro Bird G5 Electric Bus to customers in North America (Photo: Business Wire)
All of the customers who obtained electric school buses were able to do
so through the help of financial grants offered by various entities and
government programs. These grants helped to pay for all or part of the
cost of the buses, as well as some necessary infrastructure costs.
Jack Matrosov of Wheelchair Accessible Transit, based in Toronto,
Ontario, was able to add a Micro Bird G5 Electric school bus to his
fleet through the use of the Electric
and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program (EHVIP), which is offered by
Ontario’s government.
“When the EHVIP Grant became available, we were thrilled to find out
that Micro Bird had an electric bus solution in the works. Over 90% of
our fleet are Micro Bird buses and we feel these buses offer great
quality, and good local service when needed,” said Matrosov. He added
that the grant also allowed him to cover nearly all of the costs of the
infrastructure needed for this bus.
The larger, 72-passenger buses ordered by customers in California have a
similar design to the many Blue Bird Type D CNG buses that districts
operate in the state today. These districts utilized many
California-based grants, including South
Coast AQMD and HVIP,
which helped to pay towards the cost of the buses and infrastructure.
“We were excited to find out, in the midst of the search process, that
Blue Bird had created an electric bus solution,” said Hector Morales,
supervisor of M.O.T. of Mountain View School District in El Monte, CA.
“Our mechanic is familiar with Blue Bird Type D buses, so it was an easy
choice for our fleet.”
“We decided to go with Blue Bird's electric school buses, because we
know the level of service we require will be available to us,” said Mark
Toti, transportation manager at Bellflower Unified School District in
Bellflower, CA. “We currently operate 26 Blue Bird CNG buses, and feel
comfortable relying on local support from Blue Bird in order to
introduce this new technology to our existing fleet.”
While grants were widely responsible for the purchase of these buses,
manufacturers like Blue Bird see a future in this technology that will
make these buses more affordable and wide-spread as a viable alternative
fuel solution.
“We are thrilled to see our all-new Blue Bird electric school buses
going into the hands of customers for the first time,” said Phil
Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “With
zero-emissions, our electric school buses provide the cleanest possible
environment for our customers and the children they transport. Also,
with battery technology constantly advancing and becoming more
efficient, we foresee a great future for growth.”
Blue Bird and Micro Bird announced their development of electric-powered
school buses in 2017, promising deliveries starting in 2018.
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, electric 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.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180927005618/en/
Blue Bird Corporation
Justyne Lobello, 478-396-3487
[email protected]
Source: Blue Bird Corporation