Daimler sub-division Thomas Built Buses (TBB) has announced the launch of its first electric Type D school bus, the Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson.
Built on Thomas Built’s HDX2 platform, the bus has been designed for school districts looking to embrace electrification and draws from the company’s EV manufacturing experience.
T.J. Reed, president and CEO of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles, said:Wattson represents our next step in electrification.
It reflects our belief that the best electric solutions are the ones that feel familiar, fit within your fleet and are built to last. That’s what we’ve heard from our customers, and that’s what we’re delivering.
The Type D vehicle is powered by Accelera’s 14Xe electric axle, which can also be found in the Jouley Gen 2. The integrated e-axle combines a typical vehicle’s motor, gearbox and power electronics into one single unit, allowing for simpler maintenance.
With a total battery capacity of 246 kWh; the bus touts a range of up to 150 miles on a single charge. Charging for the vehicle is handled via standard SAE CCS1 charging, with fast-charging available within 2–3 hours.
The vehicle is equipped with an LCD instrument cluster providing real-time vehicle and diagnostic data, optional 69″ pass-through luggage compartments and a standard rear charging port.
Orders or the new vehicle will go live by the end of 2025, with initial deliveries scheduled for late 2026.
