Even though they have the same DNA, each of the three award-winning RIDE battery-electric school bus models has its own personality.
Take the Type A, the Achiever, with a 156-kWh battery capacity and a range of 105 miles on a charge, this 26.7-foot battery-electric school bus can hold up to 30 students and can be configured with a wheelchair lift for special needs. Sleek and streamlined with a polished futuristic look, the Achiever’s headlights project a focused and determined gaze. In 2023, the Achiever was honored with the Best Green Technology Award by the School Transportation News at its annual conference in Reno, Nevada.
At its heart, the RIDE Type C Creator represents learning in motion. Configured with a 288-kWh power plant, the Creator has a range of 175 miles and can seat up to 78 students in a spacious and welcoming environment. In 2024, the Creator joined the Achiever, when the conventional-style bus was honored with the “Best Green Technology Award” by School Transportation News.
RIDE also makes the 40-foot, 81 passenger Type D Dreamer, which comes with a 255-kWh battery and promises a range of up to 155 miles on a single charge. Dreamers envision a world where learning extends beyond the classroom walls and the RIDE Type D is representative of that environment – expanding horizons and fueling passions wherever the road might lead.
There is no doubt that adoption of battery-electric school buses will help reduce the harmful emissions that pollute our air and contribute to climate change. And, by extension, that reduction in harmful emissions could directly lead to improvements in our air quality and
reductions in respiratory conditions like asthma.
There are other benefits.
Battery-electric school buses like RIDE’s Achiever, Creator and Dreamer are quiet. The near silent operation of these sleek, innovative and technologically superior buses is transformative – especially when it comes to safety and comfort.
The shared DNA of these RIDE battery electric school bus models is also evident in their integrated Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability, which comes standard in every RIDE school bus.
V2X technology allows the Achiever, Creator and Dreamer to return stored power to the grid.
When they are not being used for transportation, RIDE buses can be discharged – giving energy back to the grid. One district where this transformative technology is making a difference is in Oakland, California, where every day school buses are used to take kids to school and then used again during school hours to power the grid.
The RIDE trio are built with safety as a top priority. Achiever, Creator and Dreamer feature the industry’s safest battery technology and are backed by a comprehensive warranty. The RIDE lithium-iron phosphate battery system is known for its durability and reliability, ensuring constant performance in even the most challenging conditions.
RIDE buses actively contribute to the electrification of school transportation fleets across North America, with notable implementations such as the Oakland Unified School District’s fully electrified fleet with many others on the way.
Its partnership with Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Union, Local 105 exemplifies RIDE’s commitment to the community. RIDE was the first battery-electric bus manufacturer with a unionized workforce and a Community Benefits Agreement. The agreement outlines goals for hiring those who face barriers to employment – like single parents, veterans and previously incarcerated individuals.
All-in-all, the Achiever, the Creator and the Dreamer – RIDE’s line of battery-electric school buses stand at the forefront of a generational shift in school transportation. A transformation that moves our communities closer to greener, safer and more inclusive forms of transportation. For more information, visit the RIDE website at RIDE.co/school-buses/.