Blue Bird Expands Collaboration With Lightning eMotors On Electric Repower Program

Blue Bird Corp BLBD plans to offer a first-of-its-kind factory-certified electric repower program on select gasoline- and propane-powered Blue Bird school buses.
BLBD is collaborating with Lightning EMotors, Inc ZEV to jointly develop this repower electric vehicle (EV) powertrain system.
Blue Bird expects to launch the repower program in 2023 for gasoline- and propane-powered Blue Bird Vision Type C school buses built after September 2021.
The electric powertrain system will allow for several battery configurations from 100kWh to 225kWh, supporting a projected vehicle range of up to 150 miles on a single charge depending on battery configuration.
Blue Bird and Lightning eMotors recently announced a Class 5-6 electric vehicle platform to expand zero-emission transportation solutions to the commercial and recreational vehicle markets.
"Being able to purchase new buses with the understanding that Blue Bird and Lightning eMotors can repower them to zero-emissions at a later date with complete charging and telematics support is a great bridge strategy to electrification," commented Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning EMotors.
Price Action: BLBD shares are trading higher by 5.29% at $11.45 and ZEV higher by 3.51% at $3.98 on the last check Wednesday.