First V2G-Capable Electric School Bus Deployment in New Mexico Launched by Nuvve

On September 24, 2024, Nuvve Holding Corp. announced the commissioning of its first deployment in New Mexico, in collaboration with Las Cruces Public Schools and Thomas Built Buses. This project is a major step forward in the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure within the educational sector. Nuvve, a global leader in transportation electrification, is utilizing its proprietary energy management and aggregation platform to enhance the electrification of school transportation. By partnering with Las Cruces Public Schools, the initiative aims to not only reduce emissions but also optimize energy use, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable transportation solutions in education.

Ignacio Ruiz, superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools, said: “Our partnership with Nuvve reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation. By transitioning to electric vehicles and leveraging Nuvve’s advanced energy management solutions, we are taking important steps towards reducing environmental impacts. This collaboration aims to not only address climate change but also to create a healthier environment for our students.”

Las Cruces Public Schools, the second-largest school district in New Mexico, partnered with Nuvve to implement 5 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)-capable DC Fast Chargers and 7 Nuvve Level II PowerPorts. This infrastructure supports the district’s shift toward electric school buses and other electric vehicles, marking a significant step in sustainable transportation for the region.

Gregory Poilasne, CEO of Nuvve, states, “We’re thrilled to partner with Las Cruces Public Schools, a trailblazer amongst New Mexico’s school districts, on this groundbreaking project in New Mexico. This collaboration exemplifies our mission to support the electrification of transportation within educational institutions, fostering a greener future for our children. By integrating our advanced charging solutions, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating significant energy savings for the district with future V2G revenues.”

Key Aspects of the Partnership Between Las Cruces Public Schools, Thomas Built Buses, and Nuvve

Nuvve’s Role: Nuvve serves as the preferred energy manager and flexibility aggregator for Las Cruces Public Schools’ electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Their role includes managing energy flow and optimizing the district’s EV use to create efficiency and sustainability.

Charger Deployment: The project includes the installation of 5 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)-capable DC Fast Chargers and 7 Nuvve Level II PowerPorts, providing reliable and efficient charging solutions for the school district’s electric buses and other EVs.

Energy Management: Using Nuvve’s proprietary GIVe platform, which enables bidirectional energy management, the school district’s electric vehicles are transformed into grid-integrated energy storage resources. This allows the buses to store energy and even feed it back to the grid during times of high demand, supporting overall grid stability.

Benefits: This partnership optimizes energy use, reducing costs for the school district and enhancing the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Additionally, the future potential of V2G revenues offers the district financial incentives, further promoting sustainability and energy independence.

Thomas Built Electric School Buses Offer Multiple Benefits

Electric school buses offer a transformative opportunity for both sustainable transportation and energy management. With millions of trips per year, school buses follow highly predictable routes, making them ideal candidates for electrification. Their downtime during the day allows ample opportunity for charging, aligning perfectly with their role in a cleaner, more sustainable world.

The economic advantages are significant. Powering school buses with electricity is cheaper than using diesel, propane, gasoline, or compressed natural gas. In fact, the operational costs of electric school buses can be less than half of those for older diesel buses. As electric vehicle (EV) technology continues to advance, the cost savings are expected to increase further.

Beyond transportation, electric school buses like those from Thomas Built Buses have the potential to function as versatile battery storage units, thanks to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. This innovation allows the buses to store excess electricity and even sell it back to utility companies during peak demand, creating a new revenue stream for schools. This not only supports grid stability but also contributes to the financial sustainability of educational institutions.

Daoud Chaaya, Thomas Built Buses VP-Sales, Aftermarket and Marketing, shares, “This project represents the first commissioned Nuvve chargers with Thomas buses in the state of New Mexico. The success of this deployment will pave the way for broader adoption of electric school buses across the state, showcasing the reliability and efficiency of Nuvve’s technology and the best-in-class features of our Thomas Jouley school bus.”

The Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley represents a cutting-edge solution in electric school transportation, embodying years of research, development, and testing. Built on the proven Saf-T-Liner C2 chassis, it maintains the driver comfort, ease of maintenance, and durability expected from Thomas Built buses, while delivering industry-leading innovations in electric bus technology.

Key features of the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley include:

DC fast charging: Comes standard, offering the fastest and most efficient charging option, minimizing downtime.
Largest standard battery capacity: A powerful 246 kWh battery, the largest of any electric school bus, ensuring robust energy storage.
Excellent operating range: Capable of traveling up to 150 miles on a single charge, making it ideal for daily school bus routes.

State-of-the-art safety technology:

Intellipark braking (standard): Automatically engages the parking brake when the bus is stopped, ensuring enhanced safety.
SmartTrac electronic stability control (ESC) (standard): Helps maintain stability and control in challenging driving conditions.
Auto-reversing doors: Provides an extra layer of safety when closing the doors, ensuring nothing gets caught.
Perimeter View 360 (PV360) camera package: A comprehensive camera system offering a 360-degree view around the bus for enhanced visibility and safer driving.

The Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley combines advanced charging capabilities, superior battery performance, and safety technology, making it a top choice for school districts seeking sustainable and efficient electric school buses.

For further information regarding Nuvve’s innovative solutions, please go to:  https://nuvve.com and do not hesitate to get in touch with the Nuvve Sales team at:  [email protected] or (619) 483-3448. 

For more information about Thomas Built Buses, Inc., visit the website, or call the company at 336-889-4871. For sales or service information, contact a certified Thomas Dealer.