Publications
Publications
- April 2024
- HBS Case Collection
'The Wheels on the Bus' Go Electric: Highland Electric Fleets and Partners
By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Jacob A. Small
Abstract
Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 324-107. Founder Duncan McIntyre developed an innovative service-based business to electrify transportation fleets for school districts and scale through public-private partnerships while contributing to climate change solutions. The case covers the rationale for electric school buses, the leadership of its founder, its growth from one customer to many over five years, and relationships with multiple stakeholders in a complex system. Highland Electric Fleets contracted with school districts in the U.S. and Canada to supply and service electric school buses, offering to lower costs for the districts, even those who were not climate action supporters. Ancillary benefits included providing power back to the electric grid, reducing the use of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases, and cleaner air for children. But just as McIntyre was envisioning expanding to electrify other transportation fleets, supply chain challenges leave McIntyre with the dilemma of how to deal with the possible defection of its largest customer because of buses failing to be delivered in time.
Keywords
Climate Change; Leadership; Growth Management; Supply Chain; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Innovation Leadership; Transportation Industry; United States; Canada
Citation
Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, and Jacob A. Small. "'The Wheels on the Bus' Go Electric: Highland Electric Fleets and Partners." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 324-129, April 2024.