GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of purpose-built, all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, has announced the successful delivery of three BEAST school buses to its West Virginia dealer for deployment in the Grant County School District. This delivery marks the second district in the state to receive GreenPower buses under Round 2 funding of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program (CSBP).
Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting delivery timelines despite challenges in public policy, tariff fluctuations, and funding delays. “This week’s delivery represents another key milestone under the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and underscores our ability to execute swiftly following the release of federal funds in mid-March,” Riley stated.
The initial delivery under the program was made to Kanawha County, with Calhoun County scheduled as the next recipient of GreenPower’s zero-emission school buses.
Paused but Not Derailed
Deliveries had briefly stalled due to a spending freeze implemented by the Trump Administration as the incoming EPA leadership conducted a program review. With the freeze lifted, GreenPower resumed operations swiftly, continuing its mission to electrify school transportation across the state.
Progress in the Mountain State
To date, GreenPower has delivered 22 all-electric school buses to various West Virginia school districts — including 16 full-sized BEAST models and six compact Nano BEASTs. These deployments represent about half of the total orders in the state, with districts having already installed compatible charging infrastructure.
The BEAST: Innovation Meets Safety
The BEAST (Battery Electric Automotive School Transportation) is a 40-foot, Type D all-electric school bus designed from the ground up as a zero-emission vehicle. With capacity for up to 90 students, the bus features a corrosion-resistant aluminum body from Constellium and a robust steel truss chassis. The flat-floor design eliminates wheel wells, allowing for flexible track seating and enhanced student safety by keeping them above the impact zone.
Charging capabilities include Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW and DC fast charging at rates up to 85 kW, enabling a full recharge in under three hours. As the only U.S. OEM producing both Class 4 Type A and Class 8 Type D all-electric school buses, GreenPower continues to lead the charge in sustainable student transportation.
