TORRANCE, Calif., – SEA Electric and Midwest Transit Equipment (MTE) are partnering to retrofit 10,000 school buses with battery electric systems, the largest deal of its kind to date, paving the way for a zero-emission future of transporting children in North America.
MTE, one of the largest school bus dealers in the country, will be able to provide customers with a nearly new 100% electric bus at a fraction of the cost of a new electric school bus. The deal will cover both Type A and Type C school buses, with deliveries scheduled over the next five years.
These buses will be powered by SEA Electric's SEA-Drive(R) power system that currently powers buses and work trucks on four continents and six countries with over one million miles of actual use worldwide.
SEA Electric will power nearly new all-electric buses and extend their lifespan by ten plus years. This partnership promotes the ESG principle of secondary use while reducing waste, eliminating diesel particulates and most importantly positively impacting the health and well-being of our students.
Each bus will be able to provide full vehicle-to-grid capabilities, with the SEA-Drive(R) power system able to feed electricity back into the grid to improve stability when connected to a charging station.
The partnership marks a significant step forward in reducing the carbon footprint of bus fleets, while also accelerating the industry towards electrification at a desirable price. Two to three buses with new power can be delivered for the same price as a new electric bus.
“This commitment is the most significant in this segment to date. Not only does it illustrate the appetite for a transition to 100% electric transport, it marks the moment the commercial vehicle industry transitioned to a sustainable scale, without the need for incentives,” said Tony Fairweather, Founder and CEO.
“This partnership will allow us to respond to our customers' needs more quickly and will compliment new bus sales. As the industry moves towards zero emissions, we are well positioned with our partnership with SEA Electric to be a leader in the electrification movement.” said John McKinney, President and CEO of Midwest Transport Equipment.
“The secondary use of school buses equipped with fully electric drive systems makes a lot of sense. it keeps costs down, opens up significant availability, creates green jobs here in the U.S. while making a difference in the environment and the health of the communities we serve,” said Mike Menyhart, President of the Americas and Chief Strategy Officer of SEA Electric. .
