Blue Bird Corporation unveiled its all-new Blue Bird Vision Electric Type C school bus at the NAPT conference in Columbus, OH. The electric powertrain is supplied by ADOMANI (ADOM), with drivetrain and vehicle control software developed and produced by their technology partner, Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI).
The latest in the lineup of Blue Bird electric buses integrates the ADOMANI/EDI drivetrain and vehicle control software and telematics, delivering zero-emissions driving with outstanding vehicle performance and torque. Blue Bird’s all-new Type C bus features up to 100 miles of electric range, with a full charge time of under 8 hours by utilizing a Type 2 charger and a battery capacity of 150kWh. This announcement follows a recent unveil of Blue Bird’s Type D All American Rear-Engine Electric school bus at the STN tradeshow in July 2017, powered by the same ADOMANI/EDI partnership.
“We are excited to reveal our latest alternative-fuel option for the school bus market in 2018,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “We want to offer the broadest range of school bus products in the market and take pride in leading the industry in propane and gasoline-powered school buses. Electric-power is the next step on our journey, and our exclusive partnership with ADOMANI/EDI will bring both Type C and Type D electric buses to our customers next year. Blue Bird strives to be first to market in offering customers smart, innovative and affordable solutions that they want and value.”
The electric drivetrain technology used in Blue Bird’s Vision and All American RE Electric vehicles has already been proven on the road in over 2.5 million miles of driving. Further, Blue Bird pioneered its first electric bus in 1994 for a Southern California demonstration project and has extensive on-road experience. This experience enabled Blue Bird to secure a $4.4M Department of Energy grant earlier this year to develop a Vision Type C electric-powered bus, with full Vehicle to Grid (V2G) functionality. In partnership with ADOMANI/EDI, Blue Bird will deliver these products.
“The drivetrain has a proven track record of success in EV applications, and has performed extremely well in multiple testing scenarios,” said Jim Reynolds, president and CEO of ADOMANI. “Add that to Blue Bird’s proven, safety-driven bus design, and you won’t find a better EV bus product out there.”
Prior to the unveiling at NAPT, Blue Bird hosted an “Electric Ride-and-Drive” event at the NAPT Convention, with over 100 school district representatives in attendance. It featured their recently unveiled Blue Bird All American RE Electric bus and customer response was outstanding.
“The ride and drive feedback has been outstanding,” said Mark Terry, Blue Bird’s chief commercial officer. “Customers love the quiet ride and the proven drivetrain solution: many are already looking at placing orders as soon as the bus becomes available.”
The new bus will be available in 2018.