GreenPower Motor Company (NASDAQ: GP) has received an order for 41 purpose-built Type D BEAST and Type A Nano BEAST electric school buses totaling $15 million from the state of West Virginia. As part of the deal, GreenPower will begin manufacturing electric school buses in the state.

“Since we first announced our intent to manufacture in West Virginia, we’ve made tremendous progress on our mission to be the leading manufacturer of purpose-built, all-electric school buses,” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower. “We look forward to continue providing a positive impact on West Virginia’s economy with clean energy jobs.”

GreenPower took possession of a manufacturing facility in South Charleston in 2022, and has been performing final assembly and inspection on EV Star Cab & Chassis there as part of its supply agreement with Workhouse Group. Over the next few weeks, GreenPower will begin producing its Nano BEAST Type A electric school bus there, followed by the Type D BEAST.

The BEAST and Nano BEAST have been in pilot operation in several West Virginia counties for some weeks. “Over the course of the 2022-23 school year our BEAST and Nano BEAST have proven their capabilities in cold weather, snowy conditions and mountainous terrain in both rural and urban counties across the state. In short, the GreenPower school buses have performed exactly as we expected them to,” said GreenPower CEO and Chairman Fraser Atkinson.

GreenPower predicts that operation and maintenance costs for its electric school bus will be 70% to 80% less than those of a legacy diesel bus.

GreenPower will increase the number of employees at its West Virginia facility, and expects to reach a head count of 200 by the end of 2024. The company will conduct employee training programs in partnership with BridgeValley Community & Technical College.

“The fact that our workers will be manufacturing the school buses being purchased by the state that their kids and grandkids will be riding to and from school on brings me great pride,” said Mr. Riley.

Source: GreenPower Motor