Blue Bird said feedback was “overwhelmingly positive” during an event this month that allowed energy company representatives to get behind the wheel of its new line of electric school buses.
The Sept. 1 event invited Duke Energy, Santee Cooper, Southern Company, and Florida Power & Lights to test drive a Type D transit-style All American prototype.
A Blue Bird spokeswoman said NAPT Summit attendees can test drive the All American on Nov. 5 in Columbus, Ohio.
First announced over the summer at the STN EXPO, the electric versions of the Type D All American, the Type C Vision and the Type A Micro Bird G5 Electric will be available in late 2018. While Micro Bird has yet to release specifics on the G5 electric powertrain, Blue Bird is partnering with Adomani, Inc. on the chassis and Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. on the drivetrain.
The Vision and All American electric models feature battery capacities of 100-150 kWh with an expected 80-100 miles range from a single charge, depending on driving habits. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is also under development for this bus, which allows the bus to deliver electricity back into the grid, allowing contractors and school districts to “sell back” energy to power companies.
