Contact:  Fred Ligouri – fred.ligouri@daimler.com   

High Point, N.C. – Dec. 17, 2019 –Thomas Built Buses Inc (TBB) has been selected as the provider of all 50 electric school buses allocated for the initial phase of Dominion Energy’s electric school bus replacement program in Virginia. The program represents the largest deployment of electric school buses in the United States.

“We are thrilled to lead the way in this groundbreaking initiative that is paving the way for a cleaner future and setting the bar for future electric vehicle conversions across the country,” said Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “We believe electric school buses to be the future of pupil transportation. They offer quieter operation, lower operating costs and zero emissions to the benefit of students, parents, school districts and local communities.”

TBB’s all-electric Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is equipped with the same vehicle quality, durability, performance, safety and comfort as the popular Saf-T-Liner C2. Jouley is powered by Proterra electric vehicle technology and configured with 220 kWh of total energy capacity, a two-speed transmission and a TBB-estimated operating range of up to 134 miles. TBB is the only school bus manufacturer to offer DC fast charging architecture as standard equipment. Jouley can charge in about three hours with the Proterra 60kW DC fast charging system and can supply power back to the power grid using vehicle to grid (V2G) technology.

TBB offers electrical infrastructure project management and a comprehensive turnkey solution for EV integration. Known as the Electric Bus Authority Program, Thomas Built Buses works one-on-one with customers through the entire EV planning and implementation process.

“As Virginia’s exclusive Thomas Built Buses dealer, Sonny Merryman is thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Dominion Energy,” said Floyd Merryman, president and CEO of Sonny Merryman. “Our team has always prided ourselves as innovation leaders in pupil transportation. This particular initiative is especially exciting not just for us but also for Virginia’s students and our many loyal partners across the Commonwealth’s public education community. Electric vehicles are the wave of the future, and we anxiously look forward to bringing this transformative project to a successful reality.”

“Electric school buses remain one of the best applications for electric vehicle technology,” said Proterra CEO Ryan Popple. “The all-electric Jouley incorporates Proterra’s highest standards of battery safety and validation along with industry-leading onboard energy storage for electric school bus fleets.”

In addition to building safe, quality and innovative school buses, TBB is dedicated to continually improving its product and support as the popularity of electric vehicles advances. Through partnerships with Daimler, Daimler Trucks North America LLC and Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation with more than ten million miles of service in the transit industry, Thomas Built Buses is on the cutting edge of all new EV innovations. TBB’s customers continue to benefit from the latest innovations and a level of service and support unparalleled in the industry.

For more information on converting to electric school buses, visit Thomas Built’s Electric Bus Authority Program. For more information on Dominion Energy’s electric school bus program, visit www.DominionEnergy.com/electricschoolbuses.

About Thomas Built Buses

Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at https://thomasbuiltbuses.com or at https://www.facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses. 

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, N.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.

About Proterra

Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission electric transit vehicles and EV technology solutions for heavy-duty applications. Proterra provides a suite of products, services and financing options for a seamless transition to clean, quiet, battery-electric fleets. Designed for durability, safety and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. certification testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America, with offices in Silicon Valley, South Carolina, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit: http://www.proterra.com and follow us on Twitter @Proterra_Inc.

About Sonny Merryman

Founded in 1967 by the late Floyd W. “Sonny” Merryman, Jr. and his wife, Lou, Sonny Merryman has served as Virginia’s Bus Company for more than 50 years. What first began as a small bus and trailer sales business in Rustburg, Virginia has grown into Virginia’s largest and most experienced bus company and one of the most successful dealers in the country. With four locations across the Commonwealth and nearly 200 employees, Sonny Merryman is dedicated to providing Virginia with quality transportation products and unmatched customer support.