The U.S. education system is about to be electrified. At least the trip to school is.
New York-based bus manufacturer Trans Tech Bus has unveiled a battery-powered school bus that it plans to start selling next year.
The 42-passenger Type-A bus, known as the eTrans, is being engineered in conjunction with Smith Electric Vehicles, a Kansas City-based electric vehicle specialist with a facility in Britain. The company currently sells the largest electric commercial truck in the U.S., the Newton, on which the eTrans will be based. Fox News
“This is an exciting time for Trans Tech Bus as we officially enter the electric Type A school bus market with our eTrans product,” says President Dan Daniels, adding that the company decided to include an all-electric school bus in its product line in direct response to customer interest and market demand.
Daniels also notes that “environmental concerns, fuel costs and the growing trend to reduce — or completely eliminate — vehicle emissions makes this the perfect time for Trans Tech to move forward on the eTrans bus with Smith Electric Vehicles.”
The 42-passenger school bus will feature a 120-kW electric induction motor that is powered by two 278-volt lithium-ion batteries. A regenerative braking system will help to recharge the vehicle’s batteries when it is in operation.
Moreover, the eTrans will be equipped with a small auxiliary power unit fueled by compressed natural gas or propane that will power the bus’ heating and air conditioning systems. The auxiliary power unit will be provided by a third-party distributor.
Users will be able to travel approximately 100 to 130 miles on a charge, depending on the load and driving conditions. The bus will be able to reach speeds of up to 60 mph. School Bus Fleet
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