GreenPower Motor Co. Inc. completed the sale of the first two of 10 EV350 all-electric transit buses to the City of Porterville, Calif. The buses will replace all of the existing CNG-powered transit buses. The EV350 was designed and built by California-based GreenPower, a leading manufacturer of all-electric buses.

GreenPower has substantially completed the production of the next three EV350 all-electric transit buses, which are expected to be delivered in April, with the remaining five by the summer.

The City of Porterville is located in the San Joaquin Valley, which has some of the worst air pollution in the U.S. The benefits of deploying the EV350 all-electric buses include cleaner air and quieter operation.

“The Valley continues to be a national leader in innovative projects designed to improve our air quality,” stated Seyed Sadredin, the Valley Air District’s executive director and air pollution control officer. “We are excited to support this type of project which expands the public’s access to zero-emission technology and also helps the Valley meet increasingly stricter federal air quality goals.”

Porterville’s route requirements range from 190 miles to 230 miles each weekday. GreenPower configured these buses with over 400 kWh of batteries (standard configuration is 320 kWh) to handle these requirements. The price of each bus fully configured is approximately $820,000; the City of Porterville received grant funding to cover the cost of the new all-electric buses.

“Our proven bus technologies are serving an expanding group of stakeholders with clean, emissions-free transportation. Many cities are implementing programs to improve their air quality and reduce noise pollution.  Our buses provide a compelling option for the growing number of cities seeking clean, reliable, quiet transit systems,” said GreenPower’s President Brendan Riley.