18 electric buses for Michigan school district
The buses in question are Blue Bird All American Type D models. They’re capable of travelling up to 120 miles on a single charge and rechargeable within 6-8 hours overnight. They hold up to 84 passengers and utilise 155 kWh NMC cells, with a GVWR of 16 tonnes.
The program has been backed by $7.1 million in grant funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program, with the buses being acquired through a Blue Bird dealership, Holland Bus Company, in Michigan. As part of the partnership, Highland has installed 20 BorgWarner charging stations in the precinct to provide overnight and downtime charging for the buses.
Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Dr Glenn Maleyko said: “The addition of these 18 electric buses is another example of how our district is leading the way and taking actions that will benefit students and the greater Dearborn community. There is also a lesson here for our students about the importance of being good stewards of the environment and taking steps to be a role model. We also appreciate the $7.1 million in grant funding from the EPA that made the purchase of these buses possible.”
Dearborn Public Schools said it hopes to save substantial costs on fuel and maintenance compared to its traditional diesel buses. It currently operates 37 schools covering 20,000 students in Michigan.
Joshua Williams, Senior Midwestern Regional Manager at Highland Electric Fleets, added: “This investment represents a commitment to cleaner, quieter student transportation, which can improve student performance and reduce asthma risk, especially in communities like Dearborn where asthma rates may be higher than the national average. We’re honoured to partner with Dearborn in making this vision a reality.”
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