Navistar Buses: How Long Do They Really Last?

Navistar is an American bus manufacturer headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. It is the parent company of the IC Bus brand, which produces school and commercial buses. The company has been in operation since 2002 and has a strong focus on sustainability and zero-emissions technology. While there is no definitive answer to how long a Navistar bus will last, the company offers extended battery warranties and infrastructure support for its electric vehicles. The durability and longevity of Navistar buses can be attributed to their innovative design, sustainability commitments, and comprehensive customer support.

Navistar's commitment to sustainability and electric buses

Navistar has set clear ambitions for zero-emission vehicles, targeting 50% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2030 and 100% by 2040. This aligns with the company's commitment to responsible conduct and a move away from fossil fuel use, as outlined in its Carbon Neutral Roadmap. To achieve these goals, Navistar is improving its own environmental impact and helping others do the same. This includes introducing a sustainability code of conduct for suppliers, evaluating and scoring suppliers based on sustainability criteria, and requiring dealers to meet the same standards.

In line with its sustainability goals, Navistar has introduced the International® S13 Integrated Powertrain, the last internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain platform the company will develop. This new platform delivers advanced fuel efficiency and performance, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company is also refining its electric vehicle roadmap and strategy to support customers' transitions to e-mobility.

Navistar's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products. The company has introduced a new Code of Conduct for suppliers and business partners, outlining expectations for ethical conduct, responsible sourcing, and environmental protection. Additionally, Navistar supports education, environmental, and community initiatives through strategic grant-making and sponsorships. For example, in partnership with Metropolitan Family Services and National Express, Navistar delivered employee-donated school supplies to disadvantaged schools using an IC Bus® electric school bus.

Navistar is also committed to helping others with their sustainability initiatives. In November 2023, the company announced eight three-year environmental equity funding programs, supporting conservation education, tree-canopy expansion, urban farming, and innovative carbon capture approaches.

Navistar's sustainability efforts are further demonstrated by its parent company TRATON Group's shared values, which include "Elimination of Waste" and are integral to the company's operations. The company is also committed to a connected and data-driven future, standardizing a factory-installed telematics device on all new builds of its Class 6-8 International® Truck and IC Bus® vehicle portfolios, including electric models.

The IC Bus chargE demonstration all-electric school bus

IC Bus, a subsidiary of Navistar International, is an American bus manufacturer headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. The company was established in 2002 and currently produces school buses and commercial-use buses.

In November 2017, IC Bus announced the chargE, an all-electric CE Series bus. The chargE is the second electric vehicle to be delivered from the Navistar-Volkswagen alliance and started production in 2019.

The chargE is a zero-emission school bus option, engineered to withstand the daily rigors of use and arrive at its destination punctually. It offers two electric vehicle battery options for the longest single-charge range in the industry, as well as three levels of driver-selectable regenerative braking, AC/DC charging readiness, and V2G capability.

Safety is a priority for IC Bus, and the chargE was the first OEM to make electronic stability control (ESC) standard. It also offers a host of class-leading safety features, including collision mitigation and camera systems.

The cockpit design of the chargE utilizes research and data from actual drivers, with enhancements such as a left-hand switch panel and a state-of-the-art digital gauge cluster, making the driving experience safer and more efficient.

IC Bus provides a complete telematics solution with OnCommand® Connection, transforming vehicle data into critical insights that help increase uptime and reduce total ownership cost.

The benefits of electric vehicles over diesel-powered trucks and buses

Electric vehicles have numerous advantages over diesel-powered trucks and buses. Firstly, they are more environmentally friendly as they produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. This not only improves air quality but also enhances a company's brand image by presenting a commitment to clean energy.

Secondly, electric vehicles are more cost-effective. They are roughly 50% more efficient to operate than diesel vehicles, resulting in at least 20% lower expenses. The use of electricity as a power source is significantly cheaper than diesel, and the simple design of electric vehicles reduces the need for costly repairs and time-consuming maintenance.

Thirdly, electric vehicles offer improved performance, particularly in city driving with frequent stops. They deliver instant torque, providing impressive power and towing capabilities without waiting to reach a specified level of RPMs. Additionally, the absence of a traditional internal combustion engine creates more storage space, with automakers utilising the front area as a "frunk" or front trunk, adding several cubic feet to the cargo room.

Lastly, electric vehicles benefit from lower insurance costs. The reduced risk of accidents due to instant torque and fewer moving parts results in lower insurance premiums.

While electric vehicles have these significant advantages, there are also some challenges and considerations. The main disadvantages include higher upfront costs, limited driving range, longer refueling times, and the current lack of widespread charging infrastructure, especially in remote areas. Additionally, extreme temperatures can impact battery performance, and the weight of the battery packs may reduce payload capacity.

In conclusion, electric vehicles offer a more sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient alternative to diesel-powered trucks and buses. However, the limitations in battery technology and charging infrastructure need to be addressed to fully realise the potential of electric vehicles in long-haul transportation and rural settings.

Navistar's Tulsa, Oklahoma assembly plant

Navistar's Tulsa Bus Plant manufactures school buses and commercial buses of multiple capacities and engine types. The plant is located at Tulsa International Airport and is the world's leading producer of school buses, with approximately 75 vehicles rolling off the production line each day. The plant covers nearly a million square feet and employs over 1,600 people, who together earn more than $60 million per year.

The Tulsa Bus Plant produces IC Bus brand school and commercial buses. IC Bus was established in 2002 by Navistar through the reorganisation of subsidiary manufacturer American Transportation Corporation (AmTran). IC Bus vehicles are produced almost entirely under a single corporate structure, with the body and chassis assembled within the same manufacturing facility.

In 2020, the City of Tulsa and IC Bus reached a new 20-year agreement to keep the bus manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said the deal established a "win-win partnership" that would keep the world's leading school bus manufacturer in the city.

The Tulsa Bus Plant manufactures buses on multiple capacity chassis, with several engine types. Typical CE Series buses have a capacity of 29–78 passengers and are built with diesel, propane and gasoline engines. RE (Rear Engine) Series models have a capacity of up to 90 passengers and are built with Cummins L9 diesel engines.

Reviews from current and former employees of the Tulsa Bus Plant are mixed. While some describe it as a "great company to work for", others criticise the long hours, poor management, and lack of flexibility for parents. Several reviews mention the high temperatures inside the plant, with one describing it as "dangerously hot". However, some employees praise the camaraderie and positive work culture at the plant, and others appreciate the high pay and good benefits.

The history of Navistar International

Navistar International Corporation, formerly known as the International Harvester Company, is an American holding company and leading producer of medium and heavy-duty trucks. It is also a manufacturer of school and commercial buses, engines, powertrains, and other vehicle parts. The company's history can be traced back to the early 1800s and the invention of the first mechanical harvesting machine.

The McCormick Years

In 1831, Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper, a device used to cut grain, which earned a reputation as the "bread machine of half the human race". By the time of McCormick's death in 1884, the reaper was being used in all 82 wheat-producing countries. In 1847, McCormick moved his business from Virginia to Chicago to be closer to his customers. In the early 1880s, he organised his loose collection of salesmen into a far-reaching franchise dealership network. McCormick was the first to offer customers product warranties and a payment plan, allowing them to defer final payments until after crops were harvested and sold.

The Merger

In 1902, the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company merged with its biggest competitor, the Deering Harvester Company, and three smaller agricultural equipment firms to become the International Harvester Company (IH) of Chicago, Illinois. This merger gave IH an 85% market share in the farm equipment business, and by 1910, it was the fourth-largest company in the US.

Diversification

IH continued to innovate, developing its first commercial gasoline engine in 1904 and creating its first tractor in 1906. In 1908, it introduced the International Harvester Auto Wagon, a forerunner of the pickup truck. Over the next few decades, the company diversified, moving into industries such as agriculture, construction, and consumer-grade pickup trucks. IH also offered heavy-duty commercial trucks and the first sport-utility vehicles, such as the Travelall truck-based wagon and the off-road-oriented Scout.

Hard Times

In the late 1970s, IH faced a 172-day strike that it never fully recovered from. In the early to mid-1980s, the company fell on hard times due to a poor agricultural economy and a decline in demand for its products. As a result, IH began selling off various divisions, including its construction equipment division to Dresser Industries, its Solar (gas turbines) division to Caterpillar, and its Cub Cadet lawn and garden equipment division to MTD Products.

The Birth of Navistar

In 1986, following a series of asset sales, IH changed its name to Navistar International Corporation. This change came about due to the sale of its agricultural division, which included the IH name and logo, to Tenneco, the parent company of rival Case Corporation. Navistar continued IH's use of the International brand name for its trucks and engines.

The 1990s and Beyond

In the 1990s, Navistar expanded its presence in the school bus industry, acquiring a stake in school bus body manufacturer AmTran in 1991 and completing its purchase in 1995. This made Navistar the first modern-day manufacturer of fully integrated school buses. In 2002, AmTran was rebranded as IC Bus, with "IC" standing for Integrated Coach.

In 2021, Navistar merged with TRATON SE, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and one of the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. As a result, Navistar joined TRATON's existing brands, including Scania, MAN, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus.

In September 2024, Navistar announced its plan to rebrand and change its name to International Motors, LLC, debuting a new logo and visual identity.

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