The Balance hybrid-electric system from Azure Dynamics (shown) is an option on Collins school buses built on Ford’s E-450 chassis.
The NAPA Valley Unified School District in California has purchased the nation’s first NEXBUS, the only hybrid-electric Type A school bus available in North America according to its producer, Collins Bus Corp. Featuring Azure Dynamics Corp.’s Balance hybrid-electric drivetrain, NEXBUS will be employed by NAPA for special-needs transportation. Among NAPA’s previously employed advanced-technology, green vehicles was a larger bus that featured Solectria’s (Azure’s predecessor company) full electric drive technology. The partnership with Azure allows Collins to offer the proprietary Balance system as an option on school buses built on Ford’s E-450 chassis. The hybrid-electric drivetrain has undergone “significant” durability testing to be eligible for school bus programs.
