Thomas Built Buses has announced the launch of its second-generation battery-electric school bus, the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley.
The new bus is the second iteration of the company’s Jouley series of battery-electric buses, the first of which was initially introduced in 2017.
The vehicle comes equipped with the 14Xe eAxle from Accelera by Cummins, which integrates the vehicle’s motor, two-speed transmission, disc brakes and rear-drive gear set into one singular unit mounted on the rear axle, delivering power directly to the wheels of the bus, enhancing acceleration and torque.
Power for the bus comes from an 800-volt Proterra battery system, which supports the integration of air conditioning and on-board heaters.
The vehicle incorporates a 12-by-12-inch toe board floor access panel, allowing for direct and streamlined maintenance on its battery pack systems by eliminating the need for removal of the units altogether, as well as a body heating loop surge tank on the vehicle’s left side, further simplifying maintenance works.
T.J. Reed, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, said:We are proud to introduce the second generation of our Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, a product that reflects our commitment to innovation, meeting the evolving needs of our customers and driving the future of sustainable student transportation.
With features that enhance efficiency, performance and serviceability, the new Jouley delivers unmatched value for both current electric bus operators and new adopters who are ready to embrace cleaner, smarter solutions.
The new generation of Jouley also includes a new model designed with a new 219-inch wheelbase, which is capable of carrying up to 60 passengers and looks to improve manoeuvrability overall. Each model also touts a new liquid-crystal display (LCD) digital dashboard, offering real-time diagnostics and operational data.
Production on the 219-inch wheelbase vehicles is already underway, with additional wheelbase options set to be revealed in 2025.
