GreenPower Signs $5M+ Contract for New Mexico EV School Bus Pilot

On August 4, 2025, GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a leading manufacturer of purpose-built, all-electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, announced a significant milestone: it has signed a contract with the state of New Mexico to lead a statewide all-electric school bus pilot project. This forward-thinking initiative, awarded under a competitive RFP published in May, will bring GreenPower’s cutting-edge electric buses to school districts across New Mexico in a two-year rotation-based program aimed at transforming student transportation.

In the 2025-26 school year, the project will begin with three Nano BEAST Access school buses, GreenPower’s Type A, purpose-built electric vehicles designed for accessibility and efficiency. The following year will introduce three of the company’s larger Type D models, the BEAST and the Mega BEAST, both of which are zero-emission and built from the ground up for electric operation. These buses will rotate through participating school districts in five six-week rounds per year, allowing a wide array of communities to experience and evaluate the benefits of electric school buses firsthand. To ensure smooth operation, GreenPower will oversee installation of Level 2 and Level 3 charging systems, provide extensive training for drivers, mechanics, and first responders, and manage ongoing support from a soon-to-be-established location in New Mexico.

“The New Mexico pilot project provides an opportunity to expand the reach of GreenPower’s zero-emission school bus product and gives parents, kids and school districts in the state the opportunity to evaluate the transition to all-electric, purpose-built school buses,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “The project is leveraging the successful pilot that GreenPower conducted in West Virginia, but also has a concentration on evaluating charging options and infrastructure.”

Backed by more than $5 million in state funding, the program will not only cover the cost of the vehicles but also charging infrastructure and project implementation. Highland Electric Fleets, GreenPower’s partner in the initiative, will lead the deployment of the charging infrastructure.

“Our experience delivering and operating electric school buses at scale positions us well to assist in the successful execution of this pilot program,” said Highland’s Chief Commercial Officer Brian Buccella. “This initiative presents an opportunity to reduce transportation-related emissions in New Mexico communities, protect student health and modernize school transportation.”

“We are particularly interested in evaluating charging as a part of the pilot project,” said Mark Roper, Director of the Economic Development Division within the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “Range, charging rates and grid resiliency are critical components of switching to all-electric, zero-emission vehicles.”

With manufacturing of the Nano BEAST Access units nearly complete and deployment set for mid-September, GreenPower is helping New Mexico move boldly toward an electric school transportation future, one built on innovation, sustainability, and cleaner air for the next generation.

Electric School Bus V2G Programs Expand Across U.S., Showing Promise for Grid Support and Community Resilience

The GreenPower pilot also includes a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) evaluation in year two, utilizing GreenPower’s Mega BEAST, the largest battery-powered school bus in its class with a remarkable 387 kWh battery offering up to 300 miles of range. The V2G capability is expected to support grid stability and contribute to long-term community resilience.

In May, the World Resources Institute published Latest Lessons from Electric School Bus Vehicle-to-Grid Programs, showing that the field of electric school bus (ESB) vehicle to grid (V2G) programs is rapidly evolving and growing.

The momentum behind electric school buses (ESBs) equipped with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is steadily building across the U.S. In just two years, the number of active utility and state V2G programs has more than doubled: at least 26 utilities and 19 states are now engaged in initiatives that harness ESBs not just as clean transportation, but as valuable grid assets. As climate-related stressors like storms, wildfires, extreme heat, and rising energy demands increasingly strain the U.S. power grid, V2G is emerging as a promising tool to stabilize it.

Utilities and school districts across the country are reporting encouraging results from early-stage V2G programs. In several pilot locations, ESBs have proven they can reliably deliver power back to the grid at full output over extended periods. This adds a critical layer of resilience during high-demand events or emergencies. Moreover, school districts are starting to see tangible financial benefits, such as reduced energy costs and potential revenue through demand-response programs. However, widespread adoption still faces real-world challenges: from technological limitations and equipment interoperability to the need for standardized communication protocols and consistent policy support.

These success stories highlight a key takeaway, that collaboration is essential. Utilities, ESB fleet operators, and charging equipment manufacturers must work together to ensure systems are compatible and scalable. In rural communities and with municipal utilities, ESB V2G presents an especially exciting opportunity, offering local grid support without the complexity of larger deregulated markets. Furthermore, ESBs are proving their value beyond V2G, serving as mobile backup power sources for emergency shelters and essential facilities during outages. As this ecosystem continues to evolve, proactive rate design, clear incentives, and education from utilities can accelerate the transition, helping communities benefit from cleaner school transportation and smarter grid solutions.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Support Forward-Thinking Leaders and ESBs

ESBs are critical. These electric buses not only haul our children, our most precious cargo, but also teach the children the many benefits of clean energy, while providing cleaner air to the children and surrounding community. ESBs also offer lower costs to school districts, and game-changing V2G allows energy resilience in the face of natural disasters, as well as lowering costs.

Support for EVs, EV charging, clean energy, and ESBs is vital. These forward-thinking programs, which provide lower costs, cleaner air, and aid the fight against global human-caused climate change are under threat.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s term is ending, and she cannot seek re-election due to term limits. Former Interior Secretary and New Mexico congresswoman Deb Haaland announced a run for NM’s governor election, to be held on November 3, 2026. In congress, Haaland helped small businesses, boosted solar power use in the state, plugged old oil wells, partnered with rural communities to protect their water, and much more. Support Haaland and other forward-thinkers nationwide who support EVs and clean energy.