GreenPower, a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, has made its debut in Arizona by delivering an electric purpose-built Type D BEAST school bus to the Phoenix Elementary School District #1. This marks the first deployment of a GreenPower electric school bus in the state, signaling a significant step towards sustainable transportation solutions in the region.
The BEAST, which stands for “battery electric automotive school transportation,” is a 40-foot electric school bus capable of seating up to 90 passengers. It boasts an aluminum body mounted on a high-strength steel truss chassis, ensuring durability and safety for students and drivers alike.
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Equipped with a 194 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, the BEAST offers an impressive range of up to 150 miles on a single charge. The bus features standard dual-port charging, with Level 2 charging rates of up to 19.2 kW and DC fast charging rates of up to 85 kW. Additionally, wireless charging is available as an option, providing flexibility and convenience for charging operations.
Dr. Deborah Gonzalez, the Superintendent of Phoenix Elementary School District #1, expressed gratitude to the community for supporting initiatives that promote a cleaner environment. “We are grateful to our community for passing bonds that allow us to invest in fostering a cleaner environment for our students, drivers, and community,” said Dr. Gonzalez.
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GreenPower’s expansion into Arizona follows the company’s strategic growth initiatives, including the establishment of an 80,000-square-foot factory in West Virginia in August 2022. The facility focuses on manufacturing Type D BEASTs and other electric school bus models. GreenPower aims to increase its workforce at the factory to 200 employees by the end of 2024, with plans to create up to 900 new jobs in the area.
In October 2023, GreenPower launched the Type D Mega BEAST, a variant of the Type D bus with a range of 300 miles and a massive 387 kWh battery pack. The company received an order for 25 Mega BEASTs from the Montebello School District in Los Angeles County in November, further highlighting the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions in the education sector.
