DISPATCH
We ’ ve said for years that we bleed yellow blood like our clients do . But this year , these connections went even deeper . We all are focused on making school bus routes and school bus stops the safest they can be and giving parents , drivers , and transportation officials peace of mind . We anticipate our services and solutions will be needed more than ever , which is why we are projecting to close 2021 with $ 22 million in revenue .”
First Student , First Transit , NextEra Energy Resources agree to jointly pursue electrification
First Student , Inc ., First Transit , Inc ., and NextEra Energy Resources , LLC announced they have entered into a framework agreement and are working toward a joint venture to pursue the electrification of tens of thousands of school and public transportation vehicles across the U . S . and Canada . The collaboration brings together North America ’ s market leaders in school and public transportation and renewable energy to foster innovation and accelerate the mass adoption of zeroemission vehicles . The transition to electric vehicles for the school and public transportation sector is expected to play a critical role in helping communities improve air quality and environmental health for student passengers , transit riders and area residents . In addition , utilizing the sizeable batteries of school and public transportation electric vehicle fleets for distributed energy storage and grid services has the potential to make a significant contribution to long-term sustainable clean energy transition in North America . The U . S . and Canada combined represent the largest homogeneous student transportation market in the world , with approximately 520,000 yellow school buses in total . This market has remained consistent in size over time , with certain favorable factors driving fleet conversion to electric vehicles and potential V2G development :
• Increasing demand for clean , pollution-free school buses from schools , communities , parents , and student passengers .
• Strategic location of school bus depots for installation of necessary charging , storage , and grid connection infrastructure .
• Low utilization and predictable daily schedules of school buses , providing greater opportunity to optimize power charging and balance the grid . The companies are collaborating to address these market opportunities by first capitalizing on First Student ’ s fleet of 43,000 yellow school buses , the single largest fleet in North America , and nearly 500 depots located across 40 U . S . states and seven Canadian provinces . Combining this scale with NextEra Energy Resources ’ expertise is anticipated to help accelerate electrification from individual pilots to broader fleet rollout across the U . S . and Canada . The U . S . and Canada combined represent one of the world ’ s largest public transit markets , with approximately 160,000 buses and other vehicles in total . In addition , there are significant fleet opportunities in shuttle services that address a variety of passenger transportation needs . These markets have demonstrated long-term stability servicing a range of clients such as municipal transit authorities , airports , and universities . The transit market is equally anticipating a shift to electric vehicles , driven by an increased emphasis on delivering clean , pollution-free transit solutions .
The collaboration intends to focus on First Transit ’ s base of more than 300 customers to create new business opportunities and revenue streams associated with fleet electrification . “ We are proud to take this significant step to improve the environmental health of our student passengers and the communities we serve ,” said Paul Osland , president of First Student . “ We have found a world-class partner in NextEra Energy Resources , who shares our vision of the importance that electrification and zero emission technologies will play in the future of student transportation . The electrification of school buses has already started and is poised to accelerate rapidly . This collaboration will position First Student as North America ’ s leading owner and operator of electric school buses .”
“ First Transit has led the way in mobility solutions for more than 60 years ,” said Brad Thomas , president of First Transit . “ With battery and electric vehicle prices falling rapidly , and with an increasing focus on sustainability , many fleets are preparing for wholesale electrification . The collaboration with NextEra Energy Resources will position First Transit as the leading provider of sustainable passenger transportation solutions in North America .” “ The growing shift away from internal combustion engines is expected to drive over one fifth of U . S . energy demand by 2050 ,” said John Ketchum , president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources . “ Working with First Student and First Transit will enable future investments in electrification upgrades and charging stations , as well as energy management services . As demonstrated by our recent acquisition of EIQ , the market leading software platform for quantifying the value and timing of fleet conversions , this collaboration is consistent with our strategy as we continue to explore potential opportunities for electric and hydrogen transformation of the transportation sector .” Both First Student and First Transit are part of FirstGroup plc , a leading provider of transport services in the UK and North America . The collaboration aligns with FirstGroup ’ s Mobility Beyond Today strategic framework , and the Group ’ s ambition to be the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable transport , accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon world . Rothschild & Co acted as sole financial advisor .
DATTCO , Inc . acquires first electric school bus in Connecticut
DATTCO , Inc ., New England ’ s premier bus dealership , has added the Collins ® Type A All-Electric School Bus to its inventory . Collins ’ all-electric buses are environmentally friendly and offer up to 85 percent in operating and maintenance savings as well as an innovative structural design ensuring additional safety . The Collins electric school bus utilizes Motiv Power Systems™ Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis ( EPIC ®), based on the Ford E-450 platform . The system ’ s commercially proven battery packs are validated by millions of real-world miles . Sodium Nickel batteries work in a series , which means if one runs out of power , another will take over . Transportation is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions , and a major source of other air pollutants . Electric school buses reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than half compared to a diesel school bus , providing cleaner air inside and outside the bus cabin which is healthier for drivers , students , and neighborhoods . They have zero tailpipe emissions , and they reduce carbon monoxide emissions and nitrogen oxide
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