GreenPower Motor Company has commenced the rollout of its inaugural electric school buses manufactured at the newly established factory in West Virginia. The company’s Type A Nano BEAST (Battery Electric Automotive School Transportation) buses will be delivered to school districts in Cabell County, Clay County, Kanawha County, and Monongalia County in West Virginia.
The Type A Nano BEAST, equipped with a 150 kW max electric motor and a LiFePo4 battery capacity of 118 kWh, marks itself as the only purpose-built Type A electric school bus currently available. With seating for up to 24 passengers, the bus offers a range of up to 150 miles and provides optional features such as wheelchair securements and a BraunAbility rear curbside lift.
GreenPower’s 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Virginia, operational since August 2022, has been gearing up for the production of both Type A Nano BEAST and the Type D BEAST electric school buses. The Nano BEAST, piloted since June, enters full production, while production of the BEAST is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower, acknowledged West Virginia’s instrumental role in achieving this milestone, citing the state’s support in securing the manufacturing facility and the purchase of $15 million worth of GreenPower school buses. Atkinson expressed gratitude, stating, “West Virginia has been the kind of partner that helps a company achieve its startup production and financial goals.”
With plans to employ 200 workers at the West Virginia factory by the end of 2024, GreenPower aims to create up to 900 new jobs, further solidifying its commitment to advancing electric school bus manufacturing in collaboration with the state.
