Lightning eMotors, a provider of zero-emission, medium-duty commercial vehicles and electric vehicle technology for fleets, has begun production of a next-generation Type A electric bus built on the GM platform.
Purchased by over 20 school districts across the U.S., many of these zero-emissions, all-electric buses are leveraging state funding and/or the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. These funds can be stacked with the IRA commercial vehicle incentive, which gives schools $40,000 per EV, providing schools with electric buses without the need for special budget referendums or increasing taxes. These districts are among more than 650 school districts from around the country that have additionally contributed to electrifying their fleets.
Lightning is producing electric school buses on its next-generation Lightning ZEV4, built on the GM 4500 platform. All Lightning ZEV4 models come equipped with a 120 kWh batteries packages safely between the frame rails. Each powertrain delivers 241 HP, 790 lb.-ft. of torque and a range of up to 130 miles. Additionally, the company notes that the ZEV4 is also capable of both Level 2 AC and 80 kW DC fast charging, and is V2G compatible.
To date, the company notes that Lightning vehicles have surpassed four million total real-world miles, mitigating nearly 5.5 million lbs. of on-road CO2 emissions.
