Hendrickson Introduces ELECTRAAX ™, Powered by Driventic
NCST Application Deadline Extended to June 30, 2026
DISPATCH obligations, expect around 10 hours per month in 2026 and 2027, with a slight increase in 2028 and 2029. It should be noted that committees do not rewrite sections but only edit existing sections. We will help walk you through the process so if you’ re new to the NCST or to being a chair or vice chair, we will set you up for success.
If you are interested in applying to be a writing committee chair or vice chair, please complete the NCST Committee Chair & Vice Chair Candidate Member Form.
All forms must be submitted by June 30, 2026.
Please direct any questions to Mike Bullman, NCST Chairman, at ncstcongress @ gmail. com.
Hendrickson Introduces ELECTRAAX ™, Powered by Driventic
NCST Application Deadline Extended to June 30, 2026
NCST Application Deadline Extended to June 30, 2026 In preparation for the May 4-6, 2029, National Congress on School Transportation( NCST) writing committees are starting to be formed. The work of the Congress is broken into the following writing committees:
Vehicle Specifications Committees include
• School Bus Specifications
• Specially Equipped School Buses
• School Bus Inspections
• Emerging Technologies
• Alternative Fuels
Operational Procedure Committees include
• General Operations
• Transportation for Students with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs
• Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-Schooler Operations
• School Transportation Security and Emergency Preparedness
• Activity Bus Operations
• Alternative Transportation
Under the NCST Manual of Operations, which can be found here, the selection criteria for writing committee chairs and vice chairs is as follows: 1. The Steering Committee shall select the Chairpersons and Vice
Chairpersons via an application process.
2. To all the extent possible, the individual( s) selected to serve as chair( s) of writing committees shall be neutral in the discussion of proposed revisions or additions to the NCST publication.
3. Their goal as writing committee chair is to reach a consensus vote among committee members on each issue and / or proposal.
4. As part of this process the Chair shall ensure undue influence on the committee’ s work by industry partners and therefore, Chairs and Vice Chairs may not be consultants.
5. Candidates must have access to a Microsoft 365 personal or business account, allowing them to use Microsoft One-Drive and Microsoft Teams sharing functions. Writing Committee Chair or Vice Chair positions are not overly daunting. If you have experience in one of the committee areas, you are welcome to apply. With respect to the time needed to fulfil your
Hendrickson, a global leader in reliable ride solutions for the commercial transportation industry, is introducing ELECTRAAX, powered by Driventic, a high‐efficiency, lightweight electric drive axle engineered for Class 6 – 7 school bus and medium-duty truck applications.
Integrated, modular design for Electric Vehicle( EV) efficiency ELECTRAAX features a fully integrated ePowertrain that combines the axle, single-speed gearbox, motor, and inverter into one system to maximize efficiency. This design helps deliver up to 94 percent system‐level efficiency, which can extend vehicle range and reduce energy requirements based on internal testing. The fabricated, modular architecture is designed for ultimate flexibility, with a wide range of track width, gear train, suspension, and brake options to align with diverse chassis platforms and vehicle specifications. This integrated system design combined with a lightweight fabricated axle housing helps address EV weight and efficiency targets by reducing system mass, helping extend range, enabling potential battery reduction, and supporting lower total cost of ownership.
Key design advantages include:
• Full motor torque regenerative braking, helping maximize energy recovery
• Single-speed gearbox design, reducing friction and weight compared to multi-speed gearboxes
Ride quality, applications, and a new electric milestone A single-speed gearbox provides a smooth ride without shift‐quality concerns for pickup‐and‐delivery duty cycles, while reducing component count to support increased long‐term reliability. Driventic’ s electric drive system adds an efficient motor with a power‐dense inverter to deliver extended peak torque for sustained, consistent power during acceleration, hill climbs, and heavy hauling. ELECTRAAX is purpose-built for Class 6 – 7 medium-duty commercial vehicles, focusing on school buses and pickup-anddelivery trucks( including food, beverage, and last-mile). This focus helps OEMs and fleets meet stringent battery and weight requirements, balance route performance and payload, and support more cost‐effective EV adoption by reducing weight and improving efficiency simultaneously. Co‐engineered with Driventic( formerly Voith), ELECTRAAX combines Hendrickson’ s 110 + years of ride solution innovation with Driventic’ s 155 years of electric‐drive system expertise. With centuries of combined global engineering leadership, the partnership is delivering cutting‐edge EV technology and accelerating the shift to electrified mobility.
8 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE. COM | MAY 2026