Kempower electrifies school bus fleet for Eastern Townships School Board in Quebec, Canada

QUEBEC, CANADA – In a significant step toward electrifying school bus fleets across North America, Kempower has partnered with the Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) in Quebec, Canada, and Quebec-based charging solution provider Bornes Quebec to launch an innovative EV charging system. The charging site for school buses, which began operations in 2024, represents a key milestone in ETSB’s journey toward an emission-free future.

The Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) in Quebec, Canada is one of the firsts charging sites for school bus fleets that Kempower has commissioned in North America. The charging site includes Kempower’s advanced cloud-based ChargEye charging management software, allowing ETSB to control and plan charging operations with precision while generating reports to validate 100% of potential carbon credits. The charging system’s scalability, upgradability, and dynamic power sharing capabilities were pivotal in forming the partnership with ETSB.

“We're thrilled about the capabilities of the Kempower charging solution and the potential this partnership holds,” said Bruce Banfill, assistant director of transportation at Eastern Township School Board. “The versatility of Kempower chargers helps us in our operations and to reduce operational costs.”

A standout feature of the Kempower system is its ability to identify fleet buses at plug-in, eliminating the need for a gated security system. This functionality also opens the door to transforming the site into a public charging station during times of school bus inactivity, such as summer breaks, holidays, and after hours—a business model gaining traction among electric school bus fleet operators.

Pascal Flambard, Head of Business Development Canada at Kempower, stated: “Our chargers offer unmatched reliability for Eastern Townships, ensuring their fleet has the power it needs to operate efficiently, all while being a cost-effective solution that delivers long-term value.”

The Eastern Townships site currently operates a fleet of 30 electric school buses, supported by 14 fast (level 3) charging points. The site contributes to ETSB’s broader fleet of 77 school buses, which is now 39% electrified, with a target of 65% by 2030.

Yves Chabot, Business Development Consultant at Bornes Quebec, added: “Partnering with Kempower has enabled us to deliver the highest quality, scalable charging system for the Eastern Townships project. Their system is proven and provides convenient charging for the customer.”

This project demonstrates Kempower’s accessibility and adaptability across diverse e-mobility sectors, including electric school bus fleets, underscoring its commitment to providing reliable, user-friendly charging solutions in North America.

 

Kempower Media:   

Paula Savonen, VP, Communications, Kempower  

paula.savonen@kempower.com  

+358 29 0021900  

 

North America:   

Anna Beth McCormick

AnnaBeth@eandvgroup.com

919-909-3640

 

About Kempower:      

We design and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to create the world’s most desired EV charging solutions for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland and in the U.S., with the majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of e-mobility, from electric cars, trucks, and buses to machines and marine. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software are designed by EV drivers for EV drivers, enabling the best user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Stock Exchange in Finland. www.kempower.com