Iconic school bus OEM Blue Bird has delivered 23 electric school buses to Carter County Schools in Kentucky, which operates 11 schools serving some 4,200 students.

Carter County Schools purchased the electric bus through Blue Bird’s authorized dealer Central States Bus Sales in Lexington, Kentucky. The district received a $9,085,000 grant through the EPA’s 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Program.

Blue Bird’s newest Vision electric school bus features a number of improvements over the previous-generation model. Its 196 kWh battery pack contains 25 percent more capacity, enabling a range of up to 130 miles, and supports DC fast charging at 80 kW. The new battery pack is also smaller and lighter—Blue Bird was able to reduce vehicle weight by about 1,000 lbs, and increase seating capacity from 72 passengers to 77.

Blue Bird says it has more than 1,500 electric school buses in operation today.

“We are thrilled to deploy our very first electric school buses to lower the emissions of our school bus fleet,” said Dr. Paul Green, Superintendent of Carter County Schools. “Clean student transportation is one of our top priorities. Blue Bird’s most advanced, zero-emission school buses will help us to create a healthier environment for our students and our communities.”

Source: Blue Bird