Type D All-American rear engine (RE) school bus. The new bus uses the latest technological advancements in control systems, batteries and electric motors. Blue Bird worked with California-based Adoma-
ni, Inc. and Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) to provide the energy-efficient electric drivetrain for the All-American, as well as the Type C Vision. The bus has a battery capacity of between 100 and 150 kWh, and a range of 80 to 100 miles from one charge (depending on driver routes and habits). V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology for this bus is also under development, which will allow the vehicle to deliver electricity back into the grid. With this technology, school districts and
Allison Transmission unveiled the company’s new AXE electric powertrain that has an application for school buses, at the ACT EXPO in Long Beach, Calif., in April.
contractors will ultimately be able to sell energy back to power companies. Concurrently, that will reduce maintenance expenses, thereby low- ering fueling costs and facilitating a lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). Then in July 2018, Cummins expanded its
capabilities by acquiring EDI and its unique, ful- ly-electric, four-mode hybrid powertrains. EDI’s hybrid system is quite versatile—it can switch between fully electric, parallel and series modes in real time. EDI’s strengths and Cummins’ focus on innovation have built a strong offering for the maturing market for hybrid-electric buses. Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger
described the acquisition as the logical next step in the company’s electrification and plug-in hybrid business. That effort has been in devel- opment for over a decade, but Cummins really began investing heavily in it over the previous nine months. Prior to that, Cummins had ac- quired Johnston-Matthey Battery Systems and Brammo electric motors. Meanwhile, the new Blue Bird electric buses
school bus maintenance and procurement, as well as technical editor for School Transportation News. “As we continue to see them moving to get the electric power train assist involved in improving fuel economy of trucks, we will no doubt see that end up on school buses.”
Consolidations & Acquisitions The growing market for electric school buses has driven
vendors to configure improved engineering designs for their transmissions and drivetrains. For example, Blue Bird developed a drivetrain assembly through its partnerships to produce an efficient and high-performance vehicle. In 2017, Blue Bird and Girardin Minibus unveiled the Type A
Micro Bird G5 electric-powered school bus. At the same time, Blue Bird revealed the prototype chassis for its electric-powered
have already gained interest. Last year, these buses were presented to various school districts in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. At the event, Blue Bird President and CEO Phil Horlock pointed out that these buses have no tailpipes. Furthermore, Blue Bird claims that its buses pro- vide numerous advantages. The buses offer the same power as an internal
combustion engine vehicle, while being me- chanically simple, less costly, easier to maintain and effective in cutting traditional fuel costs. An electric bus’ operating expenses are also esti- mated to be 90 percent less than diesel, while driving overall costs down further, despite the initial price tag shock. The apparent savings are attractive to local school districts, even though districts are not
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