GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) has launched the second phase of its electric school bus pilot program in New Mexico, shifting focus to larger Type D vehicles after completing the initial Type A stage in May. The expansion follows the certification of the BEAST electric school bus in the state during the week of publication, with deployment of three units scheduled to begin the following week.
The first year of the pilot involved nine school districts operating three Type A Nano BEAST electric school buses, which collectively traveled more than 27,000 kilometers while eliminating over two tons of CO2 emissions. The vehicles achieved ranges of up to 212 kilometers on a single charge, with some operating for multiple days without recharging.
For the second year, GreenPower will deploy three BEAST Type D electric school buses—two for statewide circulation and one dedicated to vehicle-to-grid testing in West Las Vegas during the 2026–2027 school year. The Type D model measures 12 meters in length, accommodates up to 84 students, and features an aluminum body with a steel chassis. Charging capabilities include Level 2 up to 19.2 kW and DC fast charging up to 85 kW, enabling a full charge in less than three hours.
The program addresses rural electrical infrastructure challenges through engineering solutions, including a cold-weather package developed by GreenPower’s team. The package incorporates additional electric heaters and heated batteries while maintaining zero-emission status to preserve eligibility for incentive funding. President Brendan Riley noted that unlike solutions relying on non-electric heaters, GreenPower’s approach avoids disqualification from zero-emission funding programs.
A comprehensive report on the first year’s results is in preparation for release.
