Why electric school buses?
Because tomorrow has never been more important.
It’s no secret that electric school buses are built to make tomorrow cleaner, greener and brighter. But they’re also designed with innovations to make todays’ school routes smarter, more efficient—and even safer. The future has arrived, right on schedule.
The perfect fit for zero emissions.
School buses make millions of trips per year, follow predictable routes and have plenty of time to charge each day. The yellow school bus isn’t just another electric vehicle (EV). It’s the perfect EV because it’s already designed for a sustainable, electric world. That makes keeping the air clean even easier.
Efficiency that pays. Today, and tomorrow.
Powering school buses with electricity costs less than using diesel, propane, gasoline or compressed natural gas. In fact, operating an electric school bus can cost less than half of what it would take to run an older diesel school bus. But low operating costs for electric school buses aren’t just the norm today. As EV innovation continues, they’ll likely get even better.
A quieter ride. And as safe as ever.
Electric school buses provide a smoother, quieter ride than fossil fuel-powered buses. Not only does this mean a better driving and riding experience, but it also creates a safe environment in which students are quieter and drivers are more aware of what’s happening on the bus.
Innovative vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities.
Electric school buses can serve as versatile battery storage units, too. Thanks to V2G technology, they can be used to sell excess electricity back to a utility company or provider, creating an additional revenue stream for schools.
Why you should ride with Thomas Built Buses
Moving future generations is no small task. It takes the right electric school bus manufacturer to show you the way.
We work with the best minds in electric.
EV innovation is driven by what’s inside. That’s why we work with Proterra,® a leading manufacturer of battery and electric drivetrain solutions. Proterra’s lightweight, powerful battery systems have delivered superior range and proven performance for more than 15 million real-world miles on transit buses.
We push safety beyond the expected.
Every mile matters, which is why we have rigorously tested our electric school buses and batteries to ensure that they meet our commitment to quality. And it’s why our buses exceed industry standards for high voltage and functional safety, cold weather performance, reliability and durability.
We make the most well-thought-out electric school bus in the industry.
The Saf-T-Liner® C2 Jouley® is the culmination of years of electric school bus research, development and testing—and it’s ready today. We built Jouley on our popular Saf-T-Liner C2 chassis to deliver all the driver comfort, ease of maintenance and exceptional durability that you’d expect from a Thomas Built bus. Here are the key electric school bus innovations that Jouley provides:
- DC fast charging – the fastest, most efficient charging comes standard
- Largest standard battery capacity of any electric bus: 246 kWh
- Excellent operating range: up to 150 miles
- State-of-the-art safety technology:
- Intellipark® braking (standard)
- SmartTrac™ electronic stability control (ESC) (standard)
- Auto-reversing doors
- Perimeter View™ 360 (PV360) camera package
Ready for the future?
The Electric Bus Authority can get you moving today.
The potential benefits of electric school buses are huge. But if you’re just getting started, the challenges can be significant, too. That’s why at Thomas Built, we’re more than just an electric school bus manufacturer. We’re the Electric Bus Authority. We’re here to answer your questions and help you navigate everything from infrastructure planning to electric school bus grants—and beyond.
