GreenPower begins year two of New Mexico school bus pilot

Santa Teresa, New Mexico - GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ:GP) has unveiled the commencement of the second year for its New Mexico All-Electric, Purpose-Built, Zero-Emission School Bus Pilot Project. The project targets Type D school buses, following the successful completion of the Type A buses in May.

Three BEAST school buses will be deployed for the second year, with two alternating across the state and one remaining in West Las Vegas for vehicle-to-grid testing during the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. In the first year, nine school districts utilized three Nano BEAST buses.

The BEAST, a 40-foot all-electric bus, accommodates up to 84 students and boasts an aluminum body and steel chassis. It supports Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW and DC fast charging up to 85 kW, allowing for full charging within three hours. During year one, the three Nano BEAST buses traveled over 17,000 miles and prevented more than two tons of CO2 emissions, according to the press release.

The pilot project identified electrical infrastructure in rural areas as the main challenge. To address this, GreenPower’s engineering team developed a cold weather package in response to feedback about cabin heating and early morning charging issues. This package features additional electric heaters and heated battery packs, all while preserving the Nano BEAST's zero-emission status and eligibility for incentive funding, as stated by GreenPower President Brendan Riley.

A comprehensive report on the first year's pilot is currently being compiled for dissemination.