GreenPower Motor Co. Inc. plans to triple production capabilities of its zero-emission all-electric buses. The company has leased a facility with over 50,000 square feet in the City of Porterville, Calif., as a manufacturing and assembly center, which will open on Oct. 1, 2018.

Initial production will focus on EV Stars and then Synapse Type-D school buses. Should GreenPower reach full capacity, it could lease additional space to increase the size of the facility to over 90,000 square feet. The lease is for a term of four years with an option to extend the term for an additional three years.

“With our current order book with over 120 buses and growing, this additional facility will allow us to meet our production demand. The close proximity of this location to our current and under construction production sites also helps ensure we maintain simplified and efficient logistics.” said Brendan Riley, president of GreenPower. “We are on track to produce 25 buses per month by the end of this fiscal year.”

The company currently operates out of a 20,000-square-foot facility in Porterville. The property will be retained for additional service and office space. Over the past year, the GreenPower has completed plans for the civil work, obtained a grading permit, and submitted plans for the construction of a 144,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on the 9.3 acres owned by the company. All three phases are scheduled to be completed by 2020, with the first phase consisting of 50,000 square feet to come online next year.

Total investment in the manufacturing facility is expected to be $6 million to $7 million, which the company plans on funding from operating cash flow over the next few years.