Q&A
Going On an Electric RIDE With Patrick Duan
Electric school bus executive discusses obstacles—price and complexity— and the opportunities—V2G and safety of LFP batteries
S
chool Transportation News sat down with Patrick Duan, Co-CEO at RIDE to learn more about how the electric school bus manufacturer is approaching the North American school bus
market and the future of funding. Duan started his career with parent company BYD in 2004, serving as a design engineer. He continued up the ranks, ultimately serving as the senior vice president of operations. After 20 years with BYD, Duan became the co-chief executive officer of the new RIDE division. He’s held the position for the past two years. RIDE, which offers purpose built electric school buses,
launched its Achiever Type A followed by its Dreamer Type D in 2021. Its Creator Type C officially entered the market last summer, at which point STN EXPO West trade show attendees voted it the Best Green Technology. Duan discusses the guiding principles of RIDE, the
remaining challenges and emerging opportunities of electric school buses, and more.
STN: What inspires RIDE when creating new school buses and technology? Duan: At RIDE, we develop and deliver innovative transportation technologies designed to positively impact people’s lives, especially those of children, our most important passengers. Inspired by a deep commit- ment to safety and health, we strive to create solutions that ensure a secure and nurturing journey for the next generation.
STN: What is your long-term vision for the future of school transportation in the U.S., and how does RIDE fit into that picture? Duan: School transportation will not only be safer, cleaner and more efficient, but it will also contribute to energy resiliency. Battery-electric school buses serve as mobile energy storage units, integrating with local microgrids to support the community’s energy needs. RIDE emphasizes the innovation of battery technology
30 School Transportation News • JUNE 2025
and integration with charging infrastructure and utility platforms, while maintaining a strong focus on custom- er support.
STN: What do you see as the advantages of electric school buses, beyond the environmental benefits? Duan: Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). Bi-directional capability
allows electric school buses to both draw power from and supply power to the grid. This enables ESBs to act as distributed energy resources, supporting grid stability, peek shaving, and energy storage, making them active participants in modern, flexible grid systems. V2G capability makes ESBs not only cleaner but also
more cost-efficient for school transportation by allow- ing electric school buses to store energy when demand and prices are low and feed that energy back to the grid when demand is high.
STN: What are some of the challenges school districts
face when transitioning to electric school buses? How is RIDE helping them overcome those barriers? Duan: Transitioning to ESBs requires extensive project
coordination among key stakeholders, including OEMs, contractors and utility companies. While ESBs offer significant long-term cost savings over traditional pow- ertrains, the initial investment for vehicles, chargers and infrastructure can be substantial. RIDE Eco, a dedicated team supported by a nationwide network of partners, was formed three years ago to deliver turnkey solutions that cover charging infrastructure, technology integra- tion and project financing, simplifying the transition for school districts.
STN: What has customer feedback been on the Type
C Creator that STN EXPO West attendees awarded Best Green Technology last year? Duan: Thank you for the recognition. We’ve received
overwhelmingly positive feedback on the quiet, smooth operation of the Creator, as well as its versatile range of
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