This article was last updated on July 18, 2023.

At Thomas Built Buses, we’re excited to announce the launch of our Electric Bus Authority Infrastructure Consulting services, a team of dedicated infrastructure experts who aim to help customers navigate the complexities of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning and implementation.

What is Electric Bus Authority Infrastructure Consulting? 

Simply put, Infrastructure Consulting is here to help schools make the transition from traditional fuel to electric school buses. We understand that, as a customer, you may be feeling overwhelmed with all the things you need from an infrastructure standpoint to be operational. There are multiple stakeholders that you may not work with on a regular basis, like utility and general contractors. There are sourcing materials and supply chain issues. There are new partners involved, like charging suppliers. It’s an entire ecosystem of new stakeholders, new information and new considerations you will need to factor in before rolling out operations. Our in-house team provides a comprehensive range of customized infrastructure consulting services to make the process that much easier.

What services does Infrastructure Consulting offer? 

The team offers a wide range of custom services to help districts transition to electric buses and can meet you where you are in the process. These include:

• Route Analysis: They will assess district routes, evaluate charging needs and explore opportunities for savings via conversion from traditional fuel to electric.
• TCO Analysis:They will assess district routes, evaluate charging needs and explore opportunities for savings via conversion from traditional fuel to electric.
• Charge Requirement Analysis: They will examine fleet operating time and idle time to make recommendations for required charger capacity.
• V2G Feasibility Analysis: They will appraise the potential for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) implementation. 
• Project Integration: They will pull in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) providers to accelerate the creation of a viable electrification plan. 

What are the different consulting packages available? 

Depending on each customer’s specific needs, our infrastructure consultants offer three support levels:

• The Volt Package: This package is recommended for customers in need of basic infrastructure knowledge or EV transition support.
• The Amp Package: This package is recommended for customers in need of strategic infrastructure planning and capital expenditure (CapEx) and operating expense (OpEx) estimates. 
• The Joule Package: This level of turnkey support is recommended for complete project management and execution and can include engineering design, permitting, procurement, construction and installation, testing and commissioning, and training.

How will these new services benefit me? 

With so many emerging players in the EV space and new information to evaluate, bringing on an expert to sift through the options can be game changing. The team at Electric Bus Authority Infrastructure Consulting has been through the tough learning process and developed the necessary tools and connections to simplify conversion. This gives them the history and leverage to help customers make sure their assets and investments are utilized in the best way possible. They will help you strategize and execute a smart electrification plan, allowing you to focus on delivering safe, reliable and efficient transportation to your district and students.

How can I find out more? 

If you are interested in finding out more about services offered by Electric Bus Authority Infrastructure Consulting, or if you’re ready to start the process of converting your school bus fleet to electric, contact the experts at Thomas Built Buses below.