Thomas Built Buses launches electric school bus Wattson

Thomas Built Buses will offer its first electric Type D school bus, the Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson, for order by the end of 2025. Deliveries are scheduled for late 2026, providing school districts with a full-size electric option for their fleets.

Thomas built buses daimler truck electric school buses usa — Image: Daimler Truck North America

The new electric school bus sits on the company’s HDX2 platform. It is fitted with a 246 kWh battery and can deliver up to 150 miles of range. Charging options include standard SAE CCS1 DC fast charging at 2–3 hours with a minimum 60 kW output, a V2G-capable system, and an optional 20 kW AC/DC onboard charger. The vehicle produces 295 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque via a two-speed transmission.

The bus is powered by Accelera’s 14Xe electric axle, the same system used in Jouley Gen 2. The integrated e-axle combines motor, gearbox, and power electronics into a single unit, enabling smoother driving, fewer mechanical components, and reduced maintenance.

The Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson is Thomas Built Buses’ (TBB) first electric Type D school bus. These are also called transit-style buses, and are the largest in the sector, featuring a flat front, high seating capacity, and enhanced driver visibility for managing busy routes.

Additional features include a 277‑inch wheelbase, LCD instrument cluster with real-time vehicle and diagnostic data, optional 69‑inch pass-through luggage compartments, and standard rear charging with optional front charging.

The Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson will be available for order by the end of 2025, with initial deliveries scheduled for late 2026, providing school districts with a full-size electric bus option designed for operational reliability and ease of integration into existing fleets.

“Wattson represents our next step in electrification,” said T.J. Reed, president and CEO of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles. “We know electrification can feel like a big step. With Wattson, we’re making that step easier by giving districts a familiar Type D solution they already trust – now in electric.”

Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA, added: “Wattson showcases the strength of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles, bringing together proven manufacturing, operational excellence and deep customer insights to deliver the right solutions at the right time. From design through production, our teams at Thomas Built Buses and across the DTNA network are aligned to support customer needs in whatever powertrain they choose with confidence.”

Thomas Built Buses is headquartered in High Point in the US state of North Carolina. As a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America, the bus maker joins the ranks of Daimler’s other subsidiary brands, such as Freightliner and Western Star. Daimler Truck North America, in turn, belongs to the parent company Daimler Truck.

daimlertruck.com, thomasbuiltbuses.com (specs)