Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD), California is using an all-electric school bus for the transportation of students. KCUSD ordered four buses from Trans Tech Bus, featuring electric powertrains from Motiv Power Systems.
The new electric bus will save KCUSD over $10,000 a year in fuel and maintenance costs. The new electric school bus passed all KCUSD and California Highway Patrol certifications.
Known as SST-e, this electric version of Trans Tech’s SST model was unveiled in October 2013 and delivered last month. The SST-e utilizes a Ford E450 cutaway chassis equipped with a Motiv electric powertrain.
Jason Flores, transportation director, KCUSD said, “KCUSD has taken maximum efforts to reduce diesel particulate emissions by as much as 85 percent. This step is another step in KCUSD’s portfolio of measures to protect children, serve the community and protect environment. Other schools should follow this practice to protect themselves from rising diesel costs.”
Motiv’s electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) manufactures all-electric vehicles with a variety of commercially-available batteries and motors. The Motiv ePCS is installed on the E450 chassis with slight modifications. This enables minimal changes between the diesel and electric versions of the vehicles.
Jim Castelaz, founder, CEO, Motiv Power Systems said, “This is in response to the transportation industry’s urge to build EV’s that fit into the existing truck and bus manufacturing and service infrastructure.”
These SST-e buses are partially funded by the AB 118 Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) administered by the California Air Resources Board. Funding support for the electric school buses was provided through AQIP’s Advanced Technology Demonstration Project and the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
Voucher incentive funding is available through HVIP for offsetting the cost of these zero-emission buses.
The Trans Tech/Motiv SST-e school bus is available with 80 or 100 miles of range and holds 25 students or 18 students with a wheelchair lift and configurable track seating for up to 3 wheelchairs.