PORTERVILLE, Calif., March 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (TSXV:GPV) (OTCQX:GPVRF) (“GreenPower”) has completed the sale of the first two of ten EV350 all-electric transit buses to the City of Porterville (“the City”). These buses will replace all of the existing CNG (compressed natural gas) 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.
Commenting on the delivery, Peter Christensen of the California Air Resources Board (which provided the California Climate Investments grant funding to the City for purchasing the new buses), said: “We are pleased to see GreenPower meeting these important milestones. The citizens of Porterville will benefit in the near-term from immediate air quality benefits, and in the longer term from the jobs and on-site job training at GreenPower’s Porterville manufacturing facility currently under construction.”
The City of Porterville is located in the San Joaquin Valley, which has some of the worst air pollution in the United States. 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.”
Richard Tree, Transit Manager for the City of Porterville, added: "Porterville Transit's long-term mission is to provide reliable, sustainable, and clean transportation to Porterville residents. We're proud to partner with GreenPower to introduce these zero-emission buses into our fleet. These electric buses will significantly reduce emission and maintenance costs today and for years to come."
John Lollis, City Manager, noted: "The City of Porterville is thrilled to receive the first two of its ten new GreenPower all-electric buses, in the complete electrification of its Transit fleet. The buses are of exceptional quality and benefit to our community, not only allowing our Transit passengers a smoother and quieter ride in their commute, but also the untold local air quality benefits to our residents in the transition from CNG to electric."
The City’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.
Leslie Goodbody, Engineer, Innovative Heavy Duty Strategies, Mobile Source Control Division from the California Air Resources Board provided additional background on the statewide California Climate Investments program: “Funding for this project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit https://arb.ca.gov/caclimateinvestments.”
About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, and a double decker. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric buses that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions. GreenPower integrates global suppliers for key components, such as Siemens or TM4 for the drive motors, Knorr for the brakes, ZF for the axles and Parker for the dash and control systems. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. For further information go to www.greenpowerbus.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower’s business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower’s operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or are beyond GreenPower’s control, such as the regulations and requirements in different jurisdictions. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com) could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars. © 2018 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.