Electrify One School Bus.

Reasons to electrify, case studies, and key points.
Click the links below to explore current events related to school bus electrification!

Reasons to electrify your school bus fleet

Electric buses deliver many benefits to the communities they serve

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Benefits

  1. By eliminating diesel exhaust emissions, particulate pollution, and pollutants, electric buses improve air quality.

  2. Electric buses produce significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than other bus fleets. Replacing all of the United State’s diesel school buses could eliminate 2 million tons of greenhouse has emissions every year.

  3. Electric buses can deliver financial benefits, including reduced maintenance costs and reduced fuel costs.

  4. By reducing air pollution, electric buses can also deliver societal benefits, including avoided healthcare expenses resulting from cleaner air.

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Other school districts as a case study

The Agency of Natural Resources electric bus pilot program has moved into its next phase. The participating school districts and transit agency have selected their buses, which are due to arrive in Vermont at the end of this year. In December 2019, Barre Unified Union School District in partnership with their bus contractor, Student Transportation of America (STA); Champlain Valley School District; Franklin West Supervisory Union; and Marble Valley Regional Transit District (MVRTD), were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants to receive Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust funds to test the use of electric buses in Vermont.

A note from our project leaders:

 

USPIRG and other national organizations have built a strong case for the environmental and health benefits of electrifying our school bus fleet. As a first step in this direction, West River Valley 100% Renewable has set its sights on replacing one of the diesel school buses that serves students in the West River Valley with an electric school bus.

With support from the Vermont Energy Information Council (VEIC), we hope to serve as the catalyst for a partnership between our local school district, the company that owns the school buses that serve the West River Valley, and Highland Electric, which has a successful leasing program for electric school buses.

To learn more about this project or get involved, contact:

Battery-electric school buses offer a safe, reliable mode of transportation that reduces noise and air pollution, protecting public health and the environment.In addition to the notable air quality and health benefits, electric school buses offer considerable advantages over diesel powered vehicles. “school districts typically save 80% on maintenance and 72% on fuel compared to a standard diesel bus.