GreenPower Motor Company Inc. has commenced the demonstration tour of its Synapse 72 all-electric Type D school bus to school districts and charter schools in the State of California.
The tour will initially be focused on showing the Synapse 72 and obtaining orders from the 18 school districts and charter schools that have been selected by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast) and the 13 successful applicants for the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (North Coast) for funding directly tied to the purchases of all-electric school buses.
The South Coast has currently approved awards for 33 electric Type C or Type D school buses and the associated charging infrastructure to 16 public school districts and two charter schools for a total amount of up to $8,844,000. To be eligible for funding, an applicant must receive approval for HVIP funds from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). After subtracting the HVIP voucher amount, the South Coast funds will then be used to pay for the balance of the electric school bus up to $248,000.
Through a partnership with Senator Mike McGuire and CARB, the North Coast is administering the Rural School Bus Pilot Project for the State of California. A total of 22 school districts have been selected with an initial allocation of 29 school buses. The buses are required to incorporate various technologies, 19 of which must be zero-emission (either battery electric or fuel cell). The funding for a zero-emission school bus can be up to $400,000 with an additional $5,000 for the related infrastructure.
GreenPower’s Synapse 72 all-electric Type D school bus has been approved by CARB for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. The voucher provides up to $110,000 for each Synapse 72 sold for use in a Disadvantaged Community in the the State of California.
“The Synapse 72 utilizes GreenPower’s high floor platform and clean sheet design, making it the first purpose built all-electric school bus in existence,” says Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower. “This bus features the safety and durability of an integrated, monocoque structure, contemporary styling, stable and responsive handling, a mono-volume interior, fully configurable passenger compartment all with the quiet and smooth power of an all-electric drivetrain. I am excited for our customers to see this bus and experience the kind of quality only GreenPower can provide. This isn’t just the most compelling electric school bus, in my opinion. It’s the most compelling electric bus period.”
