Lightning eMotors offers repower program for transit buses

California’s aggressive push to reduce emissions from transportation makes these low-floor city buses ideal candidates for Lightning eMotors’ Repower program (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Medium-duty electric vehicle specialist Lightning eMotors announced it will offer a second-generation repower program for 40-ft. low-floor transit buses. The new offering will be available to municipal and private transit agencies throughout North America.

According to the company, repowering existing transit buses from diesel or CNG internal combustion to battery-electric powertrains can help electrify fleets at less than half the cost and in a third the lead time of acquiring new electric buses. Repowered buses will feature an up to 560-kWh battery system and deliver more than 200 miles of real-world range per charge.

“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.”

Customers who choose to repower the transit buses will also qualify for the same federal and state funding as new electric buses, including the Federal Transit Administration’s Low and No Emission Vehicle Program.

“Available federal and state-level funding provides a much-needed solution to the financial challenge in electrifying fleets in this sector,” said Nick Bettis, director of marketing and sales operations for Lightning eMotors,” and with Lightning’s Transit Repower program, fleet managers can extend the lifecycle of current fleets quickly, affordably and responsibly versus new purchases.”

Buses will be repowered at the company’s Loveland, Colo., factory or at one of its Authorized Repower Partners located nationwide. Maintenance teams for large fleets seeking to repower a large quantity of buses internally can also be trained on installation of the electrification kit.

The first repowered buses under the program are expected to deploy in 2023.