Video Transcript
Electric bus manufacturer GreenPower Motor Company Inc.announcedits Mega BEAST at the National Association of Pupil Transportation’s conference and trade show. According to GreenPower, Mega BEAST is an all-electric, zero-emission Type D school bus that provides 300 miles of range on a single charge.
Mega BEAST is the latest addition to GreenPower’s all-electric, zero-emission lineup of school buses that includes theType D BEASTand the Type A Nano BEAST. GreenPower President Brendan Riley stated in a press release that the Mega BEAST is the same vehicle as the original BEAST, which is used nationwide in school bus fleets.
However, the Mega BEAST boasts a larger battery pack, additional range, and more uphill climbing power. It measures 40 feet long, carries up to 90 passengers, houses a 387-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and offers more than double the range of its predecessor.
The increased range is ideal for buses that serve rural school districts with extended routes and limited opportunities for midday recharging. The range can also provide a solution for extra-curricular activity travel.
Additionally, according to Riley, the Mega BEAST’s battery size is suitable for vehicle-to-grid applications that demand energy storage, which could prove helpful for school districts that encounter extreme weather.
GreenPower VP of School Bus, Contracts, and Grants Michael Perez said the extended range would assist in the transition from diesel buses that emit nitrogen oxides to the all-electric, zero-emission option. GreenPower plans to manufacture the Mega BEAST at its California and West Virginia factories starting in 2024.
