The Lion Electric Company said it is partnering with Power Energy as the school bus manufacturer eyes the launch of a new zero-emissions electric minibus next year. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Lion added that the investment will support its commercialization and innovation plan to electrify heavy vehicles, including the development of class 5 to 8 electric trucks that the company gave a preview of with a rebrand in June. A spokesman told STN the additional funding over the next five years will also go toward a new U.S. factory, which in September was reported as being located in Palo Alto, California just south of San Francisco.
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Meanwhile, the minibus will meet paratransit, school and public transportation requirements, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This partnership will allow us to continue our ascension amongst global leaders in electric transportation,” said Marc Bédard, president and founder of Lion. “We will keep innovating to offer our company a complete line of heavy and semi-heavy all-electric vehicles. We believe that this transition will lead to major improvements in our environment and overall quality of life, not only for us but also for our future generations.”
Lion Electric scheduled a school bus ride and drive event on Monday, Nov. 6 in Columbus, Ohio in conjunction with national industry conferences.
