GreenPower celebrates new West Virginia electric school bus manufacturing facility

GreenPower Motor Company Inc, a manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, cut the ribbon at its new South Charleston, W. Va. manufacturing facility, the company's all-electric school bus manufacturing operations east of the Mississippi River. The facility expands on GreenPower's current manufacturing footprint with an additional 80,000 ft², meeting the demand and servicing customers on the East Coast.

The new manufacturing facility in South Charleston will begin operations in September and provides GreenPower with manufacturing capability of up to 150 electric school buses per quarter by next year.

"Today marks a significant milestone for GreenPower as we continue to live the vision of advancing the adoption of purpose-bult, zero-emission school buses. Through this new facility we will be able to exponentially increase our production to meet the increased demand for all-electric school buses," says Brendan Riley, president and director at GreenPower. "The work we're doing in South Charleston is a testament to GreenPower's mission and allows us to be well-positioned as the leader nationwide in the transition to clean, electric and safer transportation."

"Today marks a milestone for Greenpower, but it also marks a major milestone for West Virginia as well," Gov. Jim Justice said. "Since I took office, we've focused on transforming West Virginia's image. Part of the way we're doing that is by embracing all the new technologies that are at our fingertips, and GreenPower opening their manufacturing facility in West Virginia is yet another exciting project that will help us move our state forward and change our image. As we continue to diversify our economy, manufacturing zero-emission school buses in West Virginia will open a world of opportunities for our state. Not only will it bring hundreds of great paying jobs to the Kanawha Valley, but the ripple effects on our state's economy will be massive. I can't thank them enough for their commitment to our state and for believing that West Virginia is the best place to do business."

As West Virginia's economy continues to transform, it’s important to provide skilled and high-skilled jobs to help workers make the transition seamless. GreenPower's facility, located at 30 Industrial Way in South Charleston, West Virginia, is expected to bring approximately 200 new clean-energy jobs to the state within the next year, and up to 900 when the company reaches full production. The company is focused on creating excellent employment and career opportunities for West Virginians and is partnering with BridgeValley Community and Technical College to provide hands-on training to workers joining GreenPower's manufacturing team.

"I applaud GreenPower for bringing hundreds of great paying jobs to the state while providing safe, clean transportation solutions to the children in the Kanawha Valley and beyond," said South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens. "GreenPower is leading the charge on this important step to electrifying the nation's school bus fleet from right here in South Charleston, West Virginia. As our state's economy diversifies, GreenPower is an important part of this transformation. I look forward to cheering GreenPower on throughout their journey here in South Charleston."

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program as passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides$5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models to help bring healthier transportation solutions to students around the country.  As part of EPA's current program offering, GreenPower's all-electric school buses are eligible for rebates for the Type D BEAST of up $375,000 and up to $285,000 for the Type A Nano BEAST all-electric school bus. GreenPower's innovative technologies will help school districts drive down fuel costs and minimize maintenance costs while delivering outstanding reliability and efficiency.