New Mexico has partnered with GreenPower Motor Company to deploy all-electric, zero-emission school buses in several districts as part of a two-year pilot program aimed at evaluating performance, reliability, and environmental benefits.
The initiative, supported by a $5 million state appropriation, will introduce three Type A Nano BEAST buses during the 2025-26 school year. In the second year, two Type D BEAST buses and one Mega BEAST model will be added. The vehicles will rotate across districts in five six-week cycles each year, with GreenPower providing charging infrastructure, driver training, and telematics to collect operational data.
Brendan Riley, president of GreenPower, said the project would allow the state to evaluate how electric school buses perform in real-world conditions. “This program will demonstrate the range, charging needs, handling, maintenance savings, and student acceptance of our all-electric school buses,” he said.
State officials framed the program as part of New Mexico’s long-term clean energy strategy. “The steps we take today will not only promote a greener future but also inspire a new generation of environmental stewards,” said Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
Participating districts expressed optimism about the project. “We have been looking at grant opportunities to begin migrating from diesel to all-electric school buses,” said Christopher Gutierrez, superintendent at West Las Vegas Schools. “Participating in this pilot project will allow us to determine the best ways to integrate zero-emission buses into our fleet.”
Dr. Zoe Nelson of Monte del Sol Charter School added: “Our school believes in safe, sustainable, and sensible alternatives, and I cannot wait to see the multitude of benefits this investment will yield.”