MACON, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 15, 2022–
Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has delivered the first of three electric school buses to the Chinle Unified School District (USD) in Arizona, the largest school district in the Navajo Nation . Chinle USD is expanding its Blue Bird all-diesel bus fleet with zero-emission vehicles to prioritize student and community health while reducing operating costs. Some Blue Bird customers have reported an average of 14 cents per mile in energy costs for electric buses, compared to approx. 49 cents per mile for their diesel buses.
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Blue Bird has delivered its first electric school bus to the Chinle Unified School District in Arizona, the largest school district in the Navajo Nation. Zero-emission transportation helps improve student and community health. Here, a “Future Navajo Leaders Carrier” (Chinle USD Bus Driver) provides orientation on EV functionality and benefits to students and community members when the first EV school bus first appeared on the reservation Navajo. (Image courtesy of Chinle Unified School District)
Blue Bird will supply its most advanced zero-emission school buses to Chinle USD, including two Blue Bird Vision and one Blue Bird All American electric school bus. These best-in-class electric vehicles (EVs) carry between 72 and 84 students up to 120 miles on a single charge. Depending on the charging infrastructure, the buses take between three and eight hours to fully charge.
Chinle USD is the largest school district in the Navajo Nation by student numbers and geographic area. It serves 3,300 students at eight schools, including the largest reserve high school in the United States. School buses travel more than 6,000 miles daily on routes characterized by mostly unimproved roads as they safely pick up and transport students to and from schools.
“Beyond the potential that electric school buses offer in terms of cost efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our fleet, the impact of these electric vehicles on student learning and access to “Global experience is notable,” said Quincy Natay, Superintendent of Chinle Unified School District. “Many of our students live in very poor households and may not even have ridden in electric vehicles. Now they can get to school on a state-of-the-art electric school bus. Our students are very curious and our drivers have already started explaining how the buses operate differently from previous diesel buses. Especially for kids in remote communities, it’s a great way to provide first-hand exposure to science, STEAM careers, environmental issues, and cutting-edge technology.
The school district received a transportation modernization grant via A for Arizona to modernize its school bus fleet with three electric vehicles. A for Arizona is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing student achievement in the state, especially in low-income communities.
“Students in low-income areas are disproportionately affected by diesel pollution from school buses, as the majority of students in related areas take the bus to school. Zero-emission transportation means cleaner air breathing cleaner and healthier students,” said Britton Smith, Senior Vice President of Electrification and Chief Strategy Officer of Blue Bird Corporation. “We have been serving Chinle USD for over 30 years. happy to help the school district transition to electric buses and clean transportation for students.”
About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) has been recognized as a school bus technology leader and innovator since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a particular focus on safety, reliability and durability. Blue Bird buses carry the world’s most valuable cargo – the majority of 25 million children twice a day – making us the most trusted brand in the industry. The company is the recognized leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas and electric buses in service today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry with cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s comprehensive portfolio of products and services, visit www.blue-bird.com.
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KEYWORD: ARIZONA GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION EV/SEMI-CONDUCTOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH UTILITIES ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY OTHER EDUCATION CONTINUING LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY EDUCATION COURTS TRANSPORTATION NATIVE AMERICAN TRAVEL MINING/ MINERALS OTHER TRANSPORTATION TRUCKING RAIL TRANSPORTATION FAMILY CONSUMERS STEEL MECHANICS AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING PUBLIC RELATIONS/INVESTOR RELATIONS MARKETING ADVERTISING TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS OTHER AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE TRAINING PRESCHOOL HOMELAND SECURITY DEFENSE ENVIRONMENT ELECTIONS/CAMPAIGNS TEENAGERS TEENS PARENTING/GREEN TECHNOLOGY POLITICS
SOURCE: Blue Bird Corporation
Copyright BusinessWire 2022.
PUBLISHED: 09/15/2022 11:00 AM / DISK: 09/15/2022 11:03 AM
Copyright BusinessWire 2022.
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