Thomas Built Buses debuts its next-gen electric school bus
Thomas Built Buses just launched the second generation of its Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric school bus originally unveiled in 2017 – here’s what’s new.
A Smarter powertrain with Accelera’s eAxle
The second-gen Jouley is all about being more efficient, better performance, and being easier to service. At the heart of it is the 14Xe eAxle from Accelera, Cummins’ zero-emissions brand. This piece of tech combines the motor, transmission, brakes, and rear-drive gear into one compact unit on the rear axle. By ditching the traditional driveshaft, the eAxle is lighter, simpler, and more efficient. It sends power straight to the wheels, which means smoother rides, better acceleration, and improved torque.
Proterra’s 800-volt battery ramps up performance
The Jouley’s new 800-volt Proterra battery helps the bus handle steep hills, accelerate more quickly, and integrate extras like air conditioning and heating without sacrificing performance. This means it can easily handle all terrains, from flat roads to mountainous routes.
Easier to fix and keep running
Thomas Built’s next-gen electric school bus doesn’t just drive better; it’s also easier to maintain. The eAxle’s simplified design means fewer moving parts and centralized components, which cuts down on repair time and costs.
Technicians will appreciate updates like a new 12-by-12-inch floor panel, which gives direct access to high-voltage connectors without having to remove the battery packs. Plus, a relocated heating loop surge tank makes everyday maintenance even simpler. The focus here is to get buses back on the road faster.
Room for more passengers
The second-gen Jouley offers a new 219-inch wheelbase, letting it carry up to 60 passengers, a feature many operators have been asking for. The shorter eAxle also makes the bus easier to maneuver, whether it’s navigating tight school parking lots or fitting into smaller service bays.
A tech-forward driver experience
Drivers will notice the sleek new LCD digital dash, which feels more like a modern car than a traditional school bus. It displays more detailed diagnostics and operational data, with animations that make key info easy to understand. Software updates will roll out new features over time so the bus stays up-to-date without needing hardware changes.
The 219-inch wheelbase version of the Jouley is already in production at Thomas Built’s High Point, North Carolina factory, with more wheelbase options set to roll out in 2025.
Read more: Oakland is now first in the US to deploy a 100% electric school bus fleet – and it’s V2G
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Shares of USA Rare Earth jumped in extended trading Thursday, after CEO Barbara Humpton told CNBC that the rare earth miner is “in close communication” with the White House.
Humpton’s comment comes after the Trump administration took a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas this week. The Defense Department took a 15% stake in rare earth miner MP Materials in July.
“We are in close communication with the administration,” Humpton told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan when asked whether USA Rare Earth was interested in a deal with the Trump administration.
USA Rare Earth stock year to date.
USA Rare Earth shares were last up about 8% after hours. Its stock gained 23% in regular trading Thursday and has nearly doubled this year.
“This is a field where it will not be a zero sum game,” Humpton said of the rare earth supply chain. “It’s going to take a lot of players to build out this marketplace.”
USA Rare Earth is developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, and a magnet production facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Humpton said she supports the Trump administration’s deals with MP and Lithium Americas.
“What we’re doing is keeping the administration informed of our own plans,” she said.
The adminstration has said it is making the investments to help support the industry and break U.S. dependence on China.
Environment
Tesla applies for patent to make Cybertruck look even more ridiculous but more efficient
Tesla has applied for a new patent that would make the Cybertruck look even more ridiculous than it already does, but it would also make towing more efficient.
The Cybertruck is one of, if not the most, polarizing vehicles of all time, and its design is primarily to blame.
Much of the design is due to the use of stainless steel panels and the attempt to make pickup trucks more aerodynamically efficient.
Tesla has managed to improve on the drag coefficient of the average pickup truck.
However, it doesn’t help much with towing a trailer, which is going to catch a lot of that drag.
Tesla has now applied for a new patent on a device that would help push wind over a trailer towed by the Cybertruck.
The American automaker wrote in the abstract of the patent application:
An inflatable aerodynamic deflector to reduce drag and enhance efficiency. Constructed from drop stitch material, it forms one or more air chambers between parallel skins. The component includes a pressure regulation mechanism and diverse attachment interfaces such as rail systems, magnetic fasteners, and quick disconnect clips, distributed along the vehicle for secure mounting. This component acts as an aerodynamic deflector, optimizing airflow around conveyances, especially combination vehicles like tow vehicles and trailers.
In short, Tesla is working on an inflatable device that could sit on the bed of the Cybertruck and rise to close the air gap between the truck, thereby extending the angle of the windshield over the trailer.
Here are some of the drawings from the patent application
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, companies often apply for patents on products that they don’t have concrete plans to bring to production, and this could easily be the case here.
That’s especially true for the Cybertruck.
The program is so much smaller than Tesla anticipated, and with smaller volumes, it makes less sense to launch accessories.
That said, I’m pro everything that makes driving more efficient, regardless of whether it makes a vehicle silly.
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The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup will be offered in a single trim, but at least it’s the most affordable one.
Here’s the new 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup
With the IONIQ 5 stealing the spotlight, Hyundai is downsizing the 2026 Kona Electric to just one trim — the base SE model.
Hyundai didn’t provide prices, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE was the brand’s most affordable EV, starting at just $32,975. The SEL, Limited, and N Line trims will not be offered for the 2026 model year.
In another blow, Hyundai is also dropping the Long Range battery, meaning the 2026 Kona Electric will only be available with the Standard Range battery.
The Long Range 64.8 kWh battery offers a driving range of up to 261 miles, while the Standard Range 48.6 kWh battery delivers a driving range of just 200 miles. The only other change is that the SE trim will now include a larger console tray.
With new models arriving, like the 2026 Nissan LEAF and the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, the Kona Electric will no longer be one of the few EVs starting under $35,000.
Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF “has the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. The new LEAF also offers significantly more range, with over 300 miles, and features a NACS port for recharging at Tesla Superchargers.
While it’s cutting the Kona Electric lineup, Hyundai appears to be focused on its top-selling EV for 2026, the IONIQ 5.
Following the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 IONIQ 5 by up to nearly $10,000 on certain trims. The 2026 IONIQ 5 now starts at just $35,000. It’s also extending the $7,500 credit for 2025 models.
Is the Kona Electric on its way out with the IONIQ 5 now available for about the same price? Either that, or Hyundai will have to cut prices on the Kona EV to stay competitive.
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