School district adds first all-electric school bus with state
grant assistance
WEST FARGO, N.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
West Fargo Public Schools received the state’s first zero emissions
electric bus, a Blue Bird Vision equipped with the Cummins PowerDrive
system, enabling students to ride in an all-electric powered bus when
they return to school in August.
“We’re estimating that we will save approximately 70 percent in energy
costs and 70 to 80 percent in maintenance costs,” said Brad Redmond,
West Fargo Public Schools’ transportation director. “By reducing costs
and the impact on air quality, our Blue Bird electric bus benefits our
community greatly.”
The school district purchased the bus with assistance from the North
Dakota Department of Commerce through the state’s energy program. The
Coalition for a Secure Energy Future and Cass County Electric — in
conjunction with Minnkota Power Cooperative — also provided funding.
“We are grateful that, with the financial assistance from our partnering
agencies, we have been able to purchase our first all-electric school
bus,” said Patti Stedman, president of the board for West Fargo Public
Schools. “This bus will serve as a pilot that will help the district
determine if we can migrate to a low-emissions fleet in the future. This
investment is a great benefit to not only the district and our students,
but also to the community as a whole.”
The Blue Bird electric school bus is 100 percent electric, emitting zero
emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter,
volatile organic compounds or hydrocarbons; even heating the bus is done
electrically.
“We congratulate West Fargo Public Schools on being first in its state
to operate an electric bus,” said Mark Terry, chief commercial officer
of Blue Bird Corporation. “The electric school bus market is growing
rapidly, as electricity is a clean, efficient transportation power
source that supports our customers’ environmental goals.”
The bus, which can travel up to 120 miles between charges, will recharge
at the district’s on-site charging station. It is designed to operate in
a variety of environments, and offers comparable vehicle performance to
a bus with a traditional internal combustion engine, yet requires no oil
changes, fuel or air filters, transmission service or additional fluids.
The bus can operate in temperatures as low as negative 20 degrees.
“Cummins has a long history of powering the big yellow bus and the
fully-electric Cummins PowerDrive system in the Blue Bird Vision
Electric bus carries forward the same quality and reliability that
customers have come to expect,” said Julie Furber, vice president of
electrified power for Cummins, which manufactures the powertrain. “Plus,
school districts benefit from reduced maintenance and the associated
costs while providing sustainable transport for students.”
The school district operates 54 buses in its fleet. If provided
additional grant money, the school district plans to add more electric
vehicles.
This bus will be widely seen at promotional events this summer
throughout the state, and then assigned a daily route for the 2019-2020
school year.
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-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.
About West Fargo Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools prepares all learners with the knowledge and
skills to be compassionate, contributing citizens in a rapidly changing
world. Located in North Dakota, the school district is dedicated to
continuous improvement, engaging every student to become problem solvers
and lifelong learners. West Fargo Public Schools is the fastest-growing
district in North Dakota, averaging 500 new students annually. The
district is on track to be the state’s second largest district in the
next two years. Visit www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190603005669/en/
Adrianna Amato Yameen | TSN Communications
480.201.2639 | [email protected]
Source: Blue Bird Corporation