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IC Bus unveiled the IC Electric Bus ChargE, a zero-emissions, fully operational electric school bus, in alliance with Volkswagen Truck and Bus, making this the second electric powertrain vehicle developed between the two companies. Unveiled at the 2017 National Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference and Trade Show, the new concept bus not only eliminates emissions, but in turn, cuts costs for owners without sacrificing diesel-like performance. Additionally, intuitive features and controls make this CE Series concept school bus a viable and user-friendly option for schools and companies looking to reduce their footprint in early 2019, when they are expected to become available.
"The chargE demonstrates how our alliance with Volkswagen Truck & Bus is allowing us to move even faster into electric powertrains and other advanced technologies, thanks to our ability to leverage both companies' technology investments and components," said Bill Kozek, senior vice president, Strategic Initiatives, Navistar.
"Our electric school bus is another example of how IC Bus is driving the future of school bus transportation by providing a wide range of powertrain solutions, including electric propulsion, propane, gasoline and diesel. As battery technology evolves, we continue to explore a variety of electric technologies to meet our customers' needs in the final design of the CE Series electric-powered school bus."
-Trish Reed, vice president and general manager, IC Bus
The new chargE concept electric school bus incorporates a common group electric drivetrain from Volkswagen Truck & Bus that is quiet, does not produce any emissions, and can be built to address any school bus customer's specific requirements. The range of the chargE can exceed 120 miles, while the powertrain can deliver up to 260 kW (about 349 peak horsepower).
At the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta this past September, Navistar and Volkswagen Truck & Bus Group announced plans to develop an electric-powered, medium-duty vehicle for Navistar's Core (U.S. and Canada) market, which it also expects to launch as early as 2019. The chargE concept vehicle represents the second electric powertrain vehicle coming out of the alliance built with a common group electric drivetrain from Volkswagen Truck & Bus.