Lightning eMotors' Electric Transit City Bus Repower Program

Lightning eMotors announced it will now offer a second-generation repower program for high-demand 40-foot transit buses, according to the company's news release. 

The new offering in Lightning’s lineup of Class 3-8 commercial electric vehicles will be available to municipal and private transit agencies throughout the U.S.

Lightning said it will help transit customers cut costs by electrifying their fleets and repowering existing transit buses from diesel or CNG internal combustion to zero-emission battery-electric powertrains.

Repowered buses will feature an up to 560-kWh battery system and deliver more than 200 miles of real-world range on a single charge, according to Lightning.

Lightning eMotors has deployed more than 300 new and repowered vehicles across multiple sectors, including full-sized transit, microtransit, last-mile delivery, emergency response, school buses, and others, according to the company. 

Lightning produced the first repowered electric transit bus, deployed in Colorado for the city of Boulder in 2018. 

“Lightning’s transit bus repower program provides transit agencies a significantly more affordable and faster way to electrify their bus fleets and ensure clean and quiet operation for passengers and pedestrians alike,” said Mac Burns, director of product management, Lightning eMotors. “With increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and offer clean transportation solutions, we are confident fleet operators will see the sustainability benefits of converting existing diesel-powered vehicles to electric power rather than letting them end up in a landfill.”

According to Lightning, customers who choose the company's repowered transit buses will qualify for the same federal and state funding as new electric buses, including the Federal Transit Administration’s Low and No Emission Vehicle Program.

“There has never been a better time for transit fleet operators to accelerate the transformation of their fleets to zero-emission electric,” said Nick Bettis, director of marketing and sales operations for Lightning eMotors. “Available federal and state-level funding provide a much-needed solution to the financial challenge in electrifying fleets in this sector and, with Lightning’s Transit Repower program, fleet managers can extend the lifecycle of current fleets quickly, affordably and responsibly versus new purchases.”

Lightning said it will repower the buses at its Loveland, Colorado, factory or one of Lightning’s Authorized Repower Partners located nationwide.

Additionally, Transit Repower operators will also have access to Lightning’s full suite of complementary products and services, including Lightning Insights open API fleet telematics software, Lightning Energy stationary chargers, and Lightning Mobile portable chargers.

The first repowered buses under this program are expected to deploy in 2023, according to Lightning.

Originally posted on Metro Magazine