vehicle sizes and battery capacities. What truly sets the Creator apart is its commitment to safety—featuring the “Blade Battery” design—and our industry-leading, 12- year, 800 MWh throughput battery warranty, providing unmatched long-term value and peace of mind.


STN: Why is the Blade an important long-term tech-


nological advancement for RIDE’s electric school buses? Duan: The new Blade Battery offers exceptional safety


and longevity. Built with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, it has passed demanding safety tests—including the nail penetration test—without emitting smoke or fire, showcasing outstanding thermal stability. Its innova- tive blade-shaped, cell-to-pack architecture eliminates traditional modules, significantly boosting space effi- ciency and enabling higher volumetric energy density for extended driving range.


STN: Can you share any details of pilot programs or partnerships that you see as proving the business case for electric school buses? Duan: Since 2024, we have delivered over 160 electric school buses in the U.S. A flagship deployment in North- ern California features 75 RIDE Achiever buses equipped with V2G technology. On average, this fleet collectively returns 4.5 MWh of energy to the grid each day—enough to power approximately 150 homes for a full day.


STN: How do you see policy and funding (EPA Clean School Bus Program, state funding, mandates, regu- lations) playing a role in accelerating the adoption of electric school buses? Duan: Federal and state-level funding and mandates


are essential for accelerating the adoption of ESBs. Programs such as the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program provide substantial grants and rebates that help offset the upfront costs of the vehicles and associated charging infrastructure. In addition, state-level incentives in- crease affordability and often align with broader climate and transportation goals. States like California have implemented mandates with clear timelines, creating market certainty for school districts, manufacturers and utility providers.


These funding mechanisms often go beyond vehicle


procurement, including support for planning and in- frastructure development. This ensures that districts are equipped not only with buses, but also with the neces- sary charging equipment, workforce training and grid upgrades. Such support is especially critical for enabling advanced technologies like V2G, which require robust infrastructure and coordination across multiple sectors.


STN: How do you see tariffs impacting the industry? Duan: Tariffs could significantly impact the entire school bus industry and its supply chain. This is particu- larly true for the rapidly growing ESB sector, where tariffs can create short-term cost pressures and disrupt supply chains. These added costs may slow down deployment and strain school district budgets.


STN: Why did RIDE choose to build up its school bus


inventory instead of 100-percent, made-to-order like other OEMs? Duan: RIDE brings extensive experience in designing and manufacturing a wide range of commercial electric vehicles, including transit buses and coaches—segments that typically operate within a made-to-order, highly customized market. However, when we began devel- oping our school bus platforms several years ago, we recognized a unique opportunity: To standardize the platform design. This strategic shift has enabled significant improve-


ments in our manufacturing processes, enhancing overall production efficiency, consistency and scal- ability. By moving away from a fully customized model and adopting a standardized approach for school buses, RIDE is better positioned to meet growing demand, streamline operations and deliver high-quality electric school buses at scale.


STN: What other innovations or trends are you most


excited about in the next five years for school bus fleet electrification? Duan: Two major innovations are poised to rede- fine the future of electric school bus fleets. First is the mass-market implementation of V2G technology, which positions ESBs as critical assets in energy resilience. By enabling bidirectional charging, school buses can store and return electricity to the grid, supporting peak load management, emergency back up, and greater grid stability. Second is the integration of advanced driver assis- tance technologies, a game changer for both safety and operational performance. These technologies enhance driver and passenger safety, improve the overall driving experience, help address the ongoing driver shortage by easing workload, and boost fleet efficiency through features such as automated braking, lane-keeping and collision avoidance.


STN: Thank you. ●


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