Another Innovative Highlight from Orange County, NY
While on assignment Monday I learned some fascinating facts about this county 50 miles north of NYC:
~ Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville is the oldest continuously operating winery in the U.S.
~ The Historic Track in Goshen is the oldest active trotting track in the world.
~ The Stewart International Airport was the optional landing location for the space shuttle should there had been an emergency.
But, most importantly, I learned that the modern environmental movement started here.
And so it came as no surprise when I was introduced to the world’s first electric school bus designed and manufactured by a company based in Warwick, Orange County.
Trans Tech Bus has been building traditional school buses for many years but this exciting zero-emissions electric Type-A school bus is one-of-a-kind.
It has an aerodynamic flat-nose feel minus a a traditional exhaust system since it’s not needed with an electric motor.
At no more than 60 mph the lithium-ion batteries get between 80-100 miles before needing a recharge. The heating and a/c systems are currently in development using what is called an APU or Auxiliary Power Unit.
Antique shop owners and restaurant patrons in Warwick stopped to stare as the bus paraded through town. Some residents pointed and shouted “Look, the future of Warwick is here. We’re seeing history in the making!”
