SEA Electric’s global drive for e-school buses

Australian-founded e-mobility tech company SEA Electric aims to continue pushing zero-emissions school buses, piloting a Blue Bird Type C school bus powered by a SEA-Drive 120b power system.

The battery electric Type C model can take up to 84 passengers and is among SEA Electric’s global moves to eliminate 1.133 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during the next five years, the company already having a presence in New Zealand.

“More and more, schools are looking to the future with zero emissions school bus technology, reducing their carbon footprint while enhancing the air quality around their campuses and local areas,” says SEA Electric Americas president and chief strategy officer Mike Menyhart.

“In the history of SEA Electric, we have already seen an incredible movement to switch to electric school bus technology, and we are proud to service the marketplace with the most cost-effective all-electric power system in the world.

“Outside of the sustainability factors, SEA Electric’s systems provide lower maintenance and ongoing operating costs, with fuel eliminated and fewer moving parts lowering service expenses and downtime.

Menyhart says SEA Electric’s battery technology avoids the need for active thermal management and its mid-mounted batteries optimise safety and operating costs.

“Through the SEA Type C EV, schools across North America can take the step into the future, today.”

The SEA-Drive 120b power-system in the Type C EV bus is also used in a wide range of commercial vehicle applications across the globe, Menyhart explains.

With nearly 250kW maximum power and 2501Nm peak torque, the 138kW/h package has up to 241km range.

“After driving this pilot vehicle myself and comparing it to a diesel equivalent driven the same day, it became abundantly clear that this transition must occur in scale and soon,” says SEA Electric founder and chief executive Tony Fairweather.

 “With the ability to sell at a new Type C EV price of less than US$200,000 per vehicle there is no excuse for fleets to not consider EVs for any and all future purchases.”

The battery has a projected life cycle of more than 10 years, at which time it is envisioned the cells would be repurposed for continued use.

Standard charging through the integrated onboard charger can be provided through Level 2, Single Phase (208/240 VAC) up to 19.2kW, while optional fast charging is achieved via standard CCS Type 1, Level 3, DC fast charging, at a rate of up to 100kW.

The system is also vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capable, paving the way for future power grid security and revenue opportunities.

 Supporting all SEA Electric products is a five-year battery warranty, with systems also backed by a three-year or 80467km warranty.

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