GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a leading manufacturer of all-electric, purpose-built medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, has signed a $5 million contract with the state of New Mexico to implement a two-year all-electric school bus pilot project.
The initiative, stemming from a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in May, will introduce six zero-emission school buses across participating districts, giving students, parents and administrators the chance to evaluate the benefits of electric transportation.
Under the project, three Type A Nano BEAST Access school buses will be deployed during the 2025–26 school year, followed by three larger Type D BEAST and Mega BEAST buses in 2026–27. Each school year will feature five six-week pilot rounds, rotating buses among districts.
GreenPower will provide charging systems, driver and mechanic training, and support for local first responders to ensure a seamless transition. A New Mexico-based operations hub will manage the project. The three Nano BEAST buses are already nearing completion and are scheduled for Round 1 deployment in mid-September.
Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower, said the project builds on the company’s successful pilot in West Virginia while focusing heavily on charging solutions. “The New Mexico pilot project provides an opportunity to expand the reach of GreenPower’s zero-emission school bus product and gives parents, kids and school districts in the state the opportunity to evaluate the transition to all-electric, purpose-built school buses,” Riley stated.
The pilot will test both Level 2 and Level 3 DC fast chargers, with the second year incorporating vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology using the Mega BEAST — a 40-foot bus with a 387 kWh battery pack and up to 300 miles of range, the highest in its class.
Mark Roper, Director of the Economic Development Division at the New Mexico Economic Development Department, emphasized the state’s focus on charging reliability. “Range, charging rates and grid resiliency are critical components of switching to all-electric, zero-emission vehicles,” he said.
GreenPower has partnered with Highland Electric Fleets to build and implement the required charging infrastructure. Highland’s Chief Commercial Officer Brian Buccella noted the company’s experience in large-scale electric bus operations. “This initiative presents an opportunity to reduce transportation-related emissions in New Mexico communities, protect student health and modernize school transportation,” Buccella said.
The pilot project marks a significant step in New Mexico’s push for cleaner, sustainable transportation while offering valuable insights into infrastructure readiness and long-term adoption of electric school buses.
