Paramount Cottage Home Takes Delivery of an Electric School Bus 

Paramount Cottage Home, a Paramount Schools of Excellence campus, takes delivery of its first school bus, and it is electric! Cottage Home’s new vehicle offers multiple benefits to the community and Paramount students. The vehicle purchase honors Paramount’s promise to the Cottage Home Neighborhood Association to employ an electric bus to dramatically reduce the car volume on the campus site and reduce the pollution that would affect nearby homes. “We’re thrilled to accept delivery of the electric bus. Choosing an electric alternative versus diesel fits with Paramount’s dedication to sustainable practices, cutting-edge technology, and commitment to being a good neighbor,” notes Tommy Reddicks, Paramount School’s CEO.

Pictured above from left to right: Richard Lee, Director of Sales, School Bus – Eastern USA, Lion Electric; Kaylee May, Events and Communications Director, Greater Indiana Clean Cities; Elizabeth Wallin, Founder & Executive Director, Project Lia; Unknown; Barb Richardson, Director of Advancement, Paramount School of Excellence; Tommy Reddicks, Executive Director, Paramount School of Excellence; Unknown; Jessica Monk, COO, Paramount School of Excellence.

As a zero-emission transportation solution, the vehicle reduces emissions harmful to human health and the environment. Other benefits of electric over diesel-powered transportation options include greater efficiency with fuel cost savings, plus lower maintenance and operating costs. The design incorporates additional student safety features, such as interior and rear back-up cameras and an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift and docking. With a 60-passenger capacity, the bus has a 125-mile range before needing to recharge.

In celebration of the delivery, Lion Electric is making a generous donation to Project Lia, an organization designated by the Cottage Home Neighborhood Association. Greater Indiana Clean Cities was happy to participate with our member, Lion Electric, on the electric school bus event for Paramount Cottage Home.

Paramount Cottage Home is a Mayor-sponsored public charter school under the Indianapolis Office of Education Innovation provision. Information about Paramount Schools of Excellence and the new Cottage Home campus can be found at www.paramountindy.org.

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles all its vehicles’ components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Paramount Schools of Excellence has three campuses located in the Indianapolis eastside neighborhoods of Brookside, Cottage Home, and Englewood. The schools exist to educate K-8 students in an innovative environment that instills high expectations for success. Currently, Paramount serves 1,250 students, with 76% from households at or below the poverty level. Paramount accomplishes its mission through an emphasis on rigorous academics, technology, and the environment. Paramount Brookside is designated an “A” school by the Indiana Department of Education and a 2018 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.

Greater Indiana is a Clean City Coalition focused on advancing communities with education and resources on alternative fuel vehicles. The standalone nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serves 74 counties, working with public and private sector members. Greater Indiana is a resource for members integrating alternative fuels, technologies, and efficiency measures. Greater Indiana hosts educational and networking events fostering opportunities for partnerships between fleets and industry providers. By facilitating these partnerships and projects, Greater Indiana is fostering the economic, environmental, and energy security of the United States.