This electric school bus is coming to the US in 2019

You’d be hard-pressed to find a vehicle type today that isn’t in the process of being electrified by some major manufacturer. Sedans, SUVs, scooters, tractors, helicopters, airplanes... if it has wheels or rotors or wings, someone out there is trying replace the gas tank with a battery.

Even some of our most iconic vehicles are slated for electric conversion. Today, Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, announced plans to manufacture an all-electric school bus with a range of 100 miles for distribution in the US by 2019.

The bus is a Saf-T-Liner C2 Electric Bus that will be manufactured by Daimler subsidiary Thomas Built Buses. Nicknamed “Jouley,” the bus will seat 81 children and is powered by a 60kWh battery, giving it a range of up to 160 kilometers (99.4 miles).

Daimler says additional battery packs will be available for bus operators who want a higher range. Thomas Built Buses was able to draw upon Daimler’s electric technology resources during the development process, the company says.Daimler says additional battery packs will be available for bus operators who want a higher range. Thomas Built Buses was able to draw upon Daimler’s electric technology resources during the development process, the company says.

There are a number of smaller bus manufacturers working on electrification projects, but Daimler’s Thomas Built Buses supposedly has a 38.7 percent market share in the US. That means there’s a better chance that your kids will be riding to school in a Jouley than any other electric bus in the near future.There are a number of smaller bus manufacturers working on electrification projects, but Daimler’s Thomas Built Buses supposedly has a 38.7 percent market share in the US. That means there’s a better chance that your kids will be riding to school in a Jouley than any other electric bus in the near future.