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| Blue Bird Delivers 2,000th Electric School Bus, Leading the Charge in Zero-Emission Student Transportation Image credit: Electric Car Report |
Blue Bird, a leading manufacturer of electric school buses, has reached a significant milestone by delivering its 2,000th electric, zero-emission school bus.
This achievement underscores Blue Bird's leadership in the field of clean student transportation, as the company continues to pave the way for sustainable and environmentally friendly school bus fleets across North America.
Clark County School District's Transition to Electric Buses
The 2,000th electric school bus was delivered to Clark County School District (CCSD) in Nevada, the fifth-largest school district in the United States. CCSD, which operates 373 schools and serves over 300,000 students, is transitioning its bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles.
The district maintains a fleet of more than 1,900 buses, transporting over 123,000 students daily on more than 1,400 routes.
Advanced Features of Blue Bird's Electric School Bus
The milestone bus delivered to CCSD is Blue Bird’s most advanced electric school bus, equipped with a new, extended-range battery capable of carrying 84 students. Depending on the charging infrastructure, the bus can be fully recharged in three to eight hours.
This delivery is part of a broader initiative supported by a $9.875 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program, a key component of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) aimed at promoting clean transportation in schools nationwide.
Blue Bird's Expanding Production and Environmental Impact
Blue Bird's electric buses have already covered more than five million miles, equating to driving Route 66 over 2,000 times. By replacing 2,000 diesel-powered buses with zero-emission vehicles, Blue Bird is helping to reduce harmful carbon emissions by over 21,000 metric tons annually.
This transition also protects nearly 150,000 students from exposure to diesel tailpipe emissions, which are linked to serious health conditions like asthma and heart disease.
Investments in Electric Vehicle Manufacturing
In response to growing demand, Blue Bird is significantly expanding its electric school bus production capabilities. The company opened a 40,000 square foot Electric Vehicle Build-up Center in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 2023. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Blue Bird an $80 million grant to convert a former diesel-powered motorhome manufacturing site into a 600,000 square foot state-of-the-art electric vehicle manufacturing facility.
These investments will enable Blue Bird to increase its production capacity to more than 5,000 electric school buses annually.
Partnership and Innovation in Electric School Buses
Blue Bird’s zero-emission buses are powered by the electric PowerDrive 7000 system from Accelera by Cummins. This system is the result of a long-standing collaboration between Blue Bird and Cummins, focused on driving innovation in clean transportation technology.
This partnership has been crucial in providing school districts nationwide with sustainable transportation solutions, reinforcing Blue Bird's position as a leader in the industry.
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