Presented by IC Bus
It’s official. You just received a mandate to go “all-electric” by 2034. Now what?
The shift to battery electric vehicle (BEV) school buses has introduced a broad range of common operational challenges and opportunities. As school districts shift from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) buses to BEVs, several trends have emerged in concerns expressed from fleet to fleet, including:
Uncertainty around product life and reliability: How long will BEV school buses last? Are these high voltage components reliable? What will my out-of-pocket expenses look like versus an ICE school bus? How can I optimize vehicle performance? Will I have visibility to key vehicle health and efficiency information? Can I ensure financial flexibility for the future with the ability to capitalize maintenance costs – or amortize costs over 10 years?
BEVs will be outliers in the fleet: I can’t transition my entire fleet all at once, so how do I effectively integrate (BEVs) into my
existing school bus fleet? How do I operate a mixed fleet of both ICE and BEV units?
Investment needs in service equipment & special tooling:
What special tools do I need to buy? Will I need to train my staff on how to operate them? How much will special tooling and safety equipment cost to service these new vehicles? How can maintenance costs be minimized? What about ensuring service when I need it, after the sale? How do I balance the parts inventory between the ICE and BEV units in my fleet?
Safety concerns, training & EV certification of
technicians: We have never had to work on high voltage
components before – will my technicians be ready? Will we be safe to work on the vehicles?
It’s a lot to absorb. Moreover, as you are gradually transitioning your fleet, how can you ensure confidence in your Total Cost of Ownership?
To help address these concerns and ensure bus fleets will be supported in their transition to electrification, IC Bus has introduced new comprehensive service contracts designed specifically to support EVs.
These contracts include a number of features that support various elements of the ownership experience:
• Planned maintenance and wear items.
• Complete vehicle repair coverage.
• Proactive service planning and service event orchestration.
While these packages are customer selectable in both coverage duration and total coverage areas, they help to address those common concerns that customers express regarding their BEV journey. IC Bus service contracts help:
• Put the servicing of BEVs into the hands of certified and properly equipped experts.
• Provide predictable maintenance expenses for a higher
confidence in estimated Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Create financial flexibility with the ability to capitalize maintenance costs – or to pay over time.
• Optimize vehicle performance & reduce unplanned downtime, which helps drive on-time route performance
By understanding that each school district and fleet has unique needs, IC Bus provides an unparalleled ownership experience – offering tailored solutions that address specific operational challenges, from assistance in grant writing and infrastructure planning to proactive service orchestration and an award-winning parts distribution network. Adoption of these strategies enables school districts to optimize their transportation operations, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
IC Bus is Transforming School Transportation
In the rapidly evolving landscape of school transportation, IC Bus is leading the charge with its groundbreaking comprehensive service contracts for BEV school buses. This is the latest offering in its suite of services aiding customers in their electrification journey.
By ensuring a seamless and confident transition to electric school buses, this innovative suite of services is designed to enhance BEV school bus operations by transcending traditional maintenance contracts and repair coverage.
From planned maintenance, repair and even wear item coverage to digital and connected solutions, IC Bus offers extensive protection in areas that operators may not always include in their electrification budgets. Importantly, coverage on day one is the same throughout the duration of the contract.
Operators also benefit from proactive service scheduling and dedicated support from a knowledgeable IC Bus “Uptime Advocate,” who offers service event orchestration by ensuring that service visits are coordinated and expedited efficiently. When planned maintenance intervals approach, customers are contacted in advance to book that service around their schedules – thereby ensuring that the necessary parts, technicians, and a service bay are available and ready for the vehicle upon its arrival.
IC Bus service contracts simplify BEV management, thereby providing the protection you want and the peace of mind you need.
Minimizing Financial Risk
At the heart of this program is the most comprehensive repair coverage available in the pupil transportation industry. This coverage mitigates the financial uncertainties associated with unexpected out-of-pocket repairs and include $0 deductibles, allowing school districts to focus on their primary mission — safely and efficiently transporting and educating students.
Operational Insights
The transition to BEV school buses brings new operational challenges and opportunities. IC Bus offers insights into new ways of operating, helping school districts optimize their transportation strategies and improve efficiency.
Consistent Budget Planning
With IC Bus service contracts, school districts can achieve consistent budget planning and cash flow. By locking in maintenance expenses for an extended period, districts can avoid the financial volatility that often accompanies vehicle maintenance and repairs and the ability to make monthly payments through our captive finance division.
Proactive Service Orchestration
IC Bus takes a proactive approach to service orchestration, scheduling, and planning. This ensures that maintenance is performed at optimal times that meet your operational needs, reducing unplanned downtime, and keeping buses on the road when they are needed most.
IC Bus service contracts are designed to be smart, adaptable, and revolutionary. They encompass a wide range of= services and features that prioritize transportation without distraction including:
• Planned Maintenance & Wear Items: Regular maintenance and replacement of wear items are crucial for the longevity and reliability of BEV school buses. IC Bus ensures that these tasks are performed efficiently and effectively.
• Repair Contracts: Comprehensive repair contracts provide peace of mind, covering a wide range of potential issues and reducing the financial burden on school districts.
• Digital and Connected Solutions: In today’s digital age, data is king. IC Bus’s connected services make data visible, easy to understand, and actionable, helping districts make informed decisions about their transportation operations. IC Bus offers a five-year standard connected vehicle package that includes Advanced Remote Diagnostics, OTA programming, and access to premium EV reporting elements, including charge history, efficiency and more!
The relentless IC Bus commitment to excellence is reflected in the extensive & growing list of solutions it offers its customers, helping to ensure a successful electrification journey. While the new service contracts are the latest addition, other key solutions include:
Zero Emissions Consulting and Grant Writing Assistance
Transitioning to BEV school buses is a significant step towards sustainability. IC Bus offers zero emissions consulting and grant writing assistance, helping school districts navigate the complexities of funding and implementing their BEV initiatives.
Award-Winning Parts Distribution Centers
These centers ensure that parts are readily available, minimizing downtime and keeping buses on the road.
Financing & Billing Options:
Whether it is Fleet Charge® account standardization, which offers standardized pricing and billing on parts & services, or our captive finance division providing loan options driven by flexibility, IC Bus stands ready to help.
CE Series School Bus:
Let’s not forget the vehicle as one of the solutions! As the industry-leading school bus provider, IC Bus puts safety & technology first as it propels the industry towards the future of pupil transportation.
Connected Services for Data-Driven Decisions
IC Bus’s connected services are built to make data visible, easy to understand, and actionable. This data-driven approach helps school districts optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions about their transportation strategies.
Training Opportunities
IC Bus understands that the success of BEV school buses depends on the knowledge and skills of the people who operate and maintain them. That’s why they offer extensive training opportunities, ensuring that school district staff are well-equipped to handle the unique challenges of BEV technology.
Extensive Dealer Network
With over 700 dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada, IC Bus provides unparalleled support and service coverage. This extensive network ensures that school districts have access to the resources they need, no matter where they are located.
One-Stop-Shop Warranty Processing
Warranty processing can be a complex and time-consuming task. IC Bus simplifies this process with its one-stop-shop warranty processing, ensuring that claims are handled quickly and efficiently, without having to go to multiple providers.
eCommerce Online Parts Ordering
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. IC Bus’s eCommerce online parts ordering system makes it easy for school districts to order the parts they need, when they need them, from the comfort of their own offices.
The Transformation has Just Begun
IC Bus service contracts represent a revolutionary approach to BEV school bus operations. This offering minimizes financial risk; provides operational insights; ensures consistent budget planning; locks in maintenance expenses; and delivers proactive service orchestration. IC Bus is setting a new standard in the industry.
With a state-of-the-art service and support infrastructure; extended service contracts; planned maintenance and wear item assurance; connected services; and more; IC Bus is committed to providing school districts with the certainty they need in their BEV adoption journey.
This is more than just business as usual. It’s a smarter, more adaptable, and completely reimagined way to prioritize transportation without distraction.