GreenPower announces production of its first all-electric school buses at West Virginia manufacturing facility

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GreenPower took possession of the 80,000-square-foot facility in August of 2022 and since that time has prepared for the production of both the Type A Nano BEAST and the Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built school buses.

GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, announced that the company has completed manufacturing of its first four all-electric, purpose-built school buses at its West Virginia facility. The Type A Nano BEAST school buses will roll out of the facility and be delivered to Cabell County, Clay County, Kanawha County and Monongalia County school districts in West Virginia.

“Today marks a significant achievement for all-electric, purpose-built school bus production in the United States,” said GreenPower CEO Fraser Atkinson. “Less than 24 months ago GreenPower joined Governor Jim Justice in announcing our plans to manufacture school buses here in West Virginia to meet the demand for zero-emission school buses on the East Coast. Those plans have come to fruition with the manufacturing of the first four Nano BEAST school buses being completed at the South Charleston facility.”

GreenPower took possession of the 80,000-square-foot facility in August of 2022 and since that time has prepared for the production of both the Type A Nano BEAST and the Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built school buses. The Nano BEAST has been in production since June and production of the BEAST will begin Q1 of 2024.

“Setting up a new manufacturing facility for the production of all-electric, purpose-built school buses is not an easy task,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “I am proud of the GreenPower team for reaching this milestone in the progression of our company. A local workforce being trained and educated by both GreenPower’s senior production staff and BridgeValley Community and Technical College has led us to the production of these first buses and will be the foundation for our long-term manufacturing presence here in the Mountain State.”

Atkinson noted that the completion of the first GreenPower all-electric school buses is as a result of an economic partnership with the state of West Virginia. “The state has played a critical role in reaching today’s rollout. From securing the manufacturing facility to the purchase of $15 million in GreenPower school buses, West Virginia has been the kind of partner that helps a company achieve its startup production and financial goals,” he continued.

“West Virginia is in a period of prosperity and growth, and we are fortunate to have GreenPower leading the way in our new energy and technology economy. I, for one, am honoured GreenPower selected West Virginia for its eastern US all-electric school bus production facility and look forward to the growth and future success of the company in our state,” said Delegate Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates. “My goal is that today is only the beginning of what future GreenPower production and employment opportunities will look like in West Virginia.”

This marks the first manufacturing of the Nano BEAST and Nano BEAST Access option from the South Charleston plant. The Nano BEAST is a Type A all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school bus with seating for up to 24 students. The Nano BEAST Access option has seating for up to 18 ambulatory passengers and up to 3+ Q’STRAINT wheelchair securements, complemented with a Braun Ability rear curbside lift.

Production process are in place at the facility to begin manufacturing of the BEAST, GreenPower’s all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission 40-foot Type D school bus that can seat up to 90 passengers. Featuring a modern monocoque design, the BEAST is the safest, most durable and reliable all-electric school bus. Its seamlessly integrated aluminium body and chassis design forms a composite structure which is the GreenPower Truss(T) factor. The newly announced Mega BEAST option with a 387 kWh battery and up to 300 miles of range will also be manufactured in West Virginia.