Electric School Buses
Why Electric School Buses Are Needed
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According to the EPA, air quality inside a diesel school bus is worse than the ambient air outside of the bus. Children are more sensitive to air pollution because their respiratory systems are still developing. Electric school buses have zero tail pipe emissions, making the air both inside and outside the bus cleaner and healthier.
Electric school buses also offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) due to decreased maintenance costs (less moving parts, no oil changes, emissions testing, etc.) and are cheaper per mile to operate compared with diesel buses since electricity is less expensive than diesel fuel. |
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Considerations
When considering making the switch to electric school buses, there are some important considerations. Whether the buses are directly operated by the school district or by a third party bus contractor, the first question is which school buses should be replaced first? Typically, it makes most sense to replace older buses first. It's also important to analyze fuel data to make sure the correct electric bus is used and will meet current and future needs.
Another common question is, how and where do they recharge? Electric school buses plug in where they park. The amount of dwell time between uses, in addition to climate and route distance will help determine the type of charging station needed.
Another common question is, how and where do they recharge? Electric school buses plug in where they park. The amount of dwell time between uses, in addition to climate and route distance will help determine the type of charging station needed.
Funding Options
Depending on your location, there are a number of funding opportunities to significant (or completely) reduce the cost of electric bus purchases. Many states and utilities offer incentives for buses and charging stations. There is also a new EPA grant program that is available to school districts who meet certain criteria, including low income and rural demographics, which covers the cost to purchase a bus and offers funding to reduce the cost of charging stations.
We Can Help
ChargeForward offers consulting services for states, utilities, fleets, school districts, and the commercial real estate sector. In fact, we've been involved in projects in several states including PA, MD, OH, IN, CO, KY, NC and FL. Contact us at hello@chargeforwardllc.com or using the button below. We would love to discuss potential opportunities to work with you!
