California School District Doubles Size of Blue Bird Electric Bus Fleet

Rhea-AI Summary

Blue Bird Corporation (NASDAQ: BLBD) has received an order from Orange Unified School District in California for eight electric school buses, which will double the district's electric bus fleet. The purchase aligns with OUSD's commitment to sustainable transportation and is expected to significantly reduce fuel costs—potentially saving over $120,000 annually. The new buses, capable of carrying 84 passengers for up to 120 miles, will be delivered in Q4 2022. This order is part of California's initiative to promote low-emission vehicles.

Positive

• Orange Unified School District orders eight electric school buses, doubling its fleet.
• Estimated annual savings of over $120,000 in fuel costs compared to diesel.
• Buses are part of a broader trend toward sustainability in school transportation.

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• None.

Orange Unified School District Orders Eight Zero-Emission School Buses

MACON, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has received an order for eight electric school buses from Orange Unified School District (OUSD) in California. Due to the purchase, the school district will more than double the size of its current Blue Bird electric school bus fleet.

Orange Unified City School in California increasingly relies on an all Blue Bird electric vehicle (EV) school buses to meet its future transportation needs. The school district recently ordered eight Blue Bird All American Type D electric school buses, more than doubling the size of its zero-emission bus fleet. (Photo: Business Wire)

Orange Unified School District started transitioning to electric school buses in 2021 by purchasing seven Blue Bird All American Type D electric school buses. Today, the school district increasingly relies on Blue Bird electric vehicles (EV) to meet its transportation needs. The district anticipates delivery of the eight buses in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Orange Unified School District will benefit from considerable cost-saving opportunities by reducing or eliminating the fuel and maintenance costs tied to traditional diesel-powered vehicles. Select Blue Bird customers reported fuel costs of up to 49 cents per mile for their diesel buses, compared to an average of 14 cents per mile in energy costs for electric buses. The school district could save more than $120,000 a year in fuel costs alone by operating its EV fleet.

“The price of diesel fuel continues to rise sharply. With the purchase of Blue Bird electric school buses, Orange Unified School District is taking active steps to reduce our fossil fuel dependency, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and improve community health,” said OUSD Director of Transportation Christina Celeste-Russo. “Orange Unified School District is leading the way to sustainable student transportation.”

“We are delighted to partner with the Orange Unified School District as they expand their Blue Bird electric school bus fleet,” said Blue Bird Corporation President and CEO Matthew Stevenson. “Blue Bird’s most advanced, electric-powered buses help Orange USD turn its vision of clean school bus transportation into reality. Soon, thousands of school children across the district will enjoy emission-free rides to school.”

Orange Unified School District recently purchased eight Blue Bird All American Type D electric school buses. Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company’s All American Type D electric buses can carry a maximum of 84 passengers for up to 120 miles on a single charge. Depending on the charging infrastructure, they take between three and eight hours to recharge fully.

Blue Bird’s electric school buses were partially funded by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and/or the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) funds.

Orange Unified School District educates approximately 28,000 students in grades TK through 12 who reside in the cities of Orange, Villa Park, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and unincorporated areas of Orange County, California. In partnership with its community, OUSD provides a safe, equitable, and innovative culture of learning for each scholar to have a competitive EDGE as a leader. More information about the Orange Unified School District is available at orangeusd.org.

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. Blue Bird buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – the majority of 25 million children twice a day – making us the most trusted brand in the industry. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com. For Blue Bird's line of emission-free electric buses, visit www.bluebirdelectricbus.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220412005077/en/

Julianne Barclay

TSN Communications

M: +1.267.934.5340

E: julianne@tsncommunications.com

Source: Blue Bird Corporation

FAQ

What did Blue Bird Corporation announce on October 2023?

Blue Bird Corporation announced an order for eight electric school buses from Orange Unified School District, significantly expanding their fleet.

How much can Orange Unified School District save by using Blue Bird electric buses?

Orange Unified School District could save over $120,000 annually in fuel costs by operating its electric bus fleet compared to traditional diesel buses.

When will the new electric school buses be delivered to Orange Unified School District?

The electric school buses are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2022.

What is the capacity of Blue Bird's All American Type D electric school buses?

Blue Bird's All American Type D electric school buses can carry up to 84 passengers.