Chicago Man Turns Old School Buses Into Electric Vehicles

Greg Coles spent years running a tow truck company, watching the same vehicles break down over and over. That frustration sparked an idea that's now transforming how Chicago thinks about going electric.

His company Seloc converts existing vehicles like school buses and firetrucks into electric powerhouses. Instead of scrapping old fleets and buying expensive new EVs, Coles retrofits what's already on the road.

The approach solves multiple problems at once. Cities get cleaner air without the massive expense of replacing entire fleets. Existing vehicles get second lives instead of ending up in junkyards.

Seloc isn't just about the environment. The Chicago-based company trains workers in electric vehicle technology, creating job opportunities in a growing field. Students learn skills that will be in demand for decades as more vehicles go electric.

The timing couldn't be better. Illinois and Chicago have set ambitious climate goals that require cutting emissions fast. Converting existing vehicles helps meet those targets while communities build out charging infrastructure and save for future EV purchases.

The Ripple Effect

Karen Weigert from Loyola University's Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility sees Seloc's model as particularly powerful. The company shows how social enterprise can tackle environmental problems while creating economic opportunity.

Converting vehicles also reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing. Building a new EV requires mining rare materials and energy-intensive production. Retrofitting an existing vehicle skips most of that carbon footprint.

School districts especially benefit from the approach. They can electrify their bus fleets gradually without blowing their budgets. Kids breathe cleaner air on their commutes, and neighborhoods get relief from diesel exhaust.

Firetrucks present unique challenges since they need reliable power for emergencies. Coles and his team have developed conversion systems that meet the demanding requirements of first responders.

The work proves that climate solutions don't have to be all or nothing. While new EV factories like Lion Electric's upcoming Joliet facility grab headlines, companies like Seloc are quietly transforming what's already here.

Chicago's streets are getting cleaner one conversion at a time, powered by the same determination that kept Coles towing trucks year after year.