GreenPower Motor, a US-based maker of medium- and heavy-duty EVs for the cargo, delivery, transit and school bus sectors, has introduced its Mega BEAST Type D school bus, which it claims has the longest range and largest battery pack in the field.

The 40-foot vehicle seats up to 90 passengers and features an integrated aluminum body and chassis design and a 387 kWh battery pack with a range of up to 300 miles. It is specifically designed for school districts with longer range rural routes, those with limited capabilities for mid-day charging, those that face extreme weather conditions and those requiring buses for extracurricular activities. The bus will be manufactured in the US at GreenPower’s facilities in California and South Charleston, West Virginia, beginning in 2024.

The larger battery size allows the Mega BEAST to be used in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications in areas that need energy storage as well as transportation. “V2G is becoming a common-sense tool that helps to create a more reliable grid, promote clean energy and reduce costs. The larger battery of the Mega BEAST has the ability to provide for a more healthy and stable electric grid and community stability in areas where it is deployed and V2G is used,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley.

Source: GreenPower