GreenPower Motor Company has begun the second phase of its New Mexico all-electric school bus pilot, deploying three Type D BEAST buses ahead of the 2026–2027 school year.
The pilot project, which secured New Mexico state certification for the BEAST model following a state inspection, will focus on larger Type D buses after completing the Type A segment in May 2025. During the first year, nine school districts participated using three Nano BEAST buses, transporting students for more than 17,000 miles and eliminating over two tons of CO₂ emissions, according to the company.
The second phase introduces three BEAST buses, with two rotating across the state and one stationed in West Las Vegas for vehicle-to-grid testing. The 40-foot, all-electric BEAST seats up to 84 students and features an aluminum body with a steel chassis. It supports Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW and DC fast charging up to 85 kW, enabling a full charge in under three hours.
GreenPower’s engineering team addressed operational challenges from the first year by developing a cold-weather package to maintain zero-emission status in rural areas. The package includes additional electric heaters and heated battery packs, addressing cabin heating and early morning charging issues without compromising eligibility for incentive funding, according to company President Brendan Riley.
A detailed report on the first year’s performance is being prepared for distribution.
