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Electric school buses are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, with a total of 12,241 electric school bus commitments as of October 1, 2024. This includes buses that have been awarded funding, have a formal purchase agreement, have been delivered, or are already in operation. The switch to electric school buses offers several benefits, including reduced air pollution, lower operating costs, and a quieter and smoother ride for students and drivers. Federal funding for school bus electrification is at an all-time high, and manufacturers are offering a wider range of electric models, making it a suitable option for many school districts across the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of electric school bus commitments as of 1 October 2024 | 12,241 |
| Number of committed buses delivered or in operation | 4,958 |
| Number of committed buses awarded to school districts but not yet ordered or delivered | 5,906 |
| Number of electric buses on order from school districts nationwide as of October 2024 | 1,400 |
| Number of states with electric school bus commitments | 49 |
| Number of students riding electric school buses in California | 67,462 |
| Number of students riding electric school buses in Maryland | 30,254 |
| Number of students riding electric school buses in Virginia | 19,189 |
| Number of students riding electric school buses in South Carolina | 10,164 |
| Percentage of committed electric school buses in the US funded by the EPA's Clean School Bus Program | 67% |
| Amount of funding awarded by the EPA's Clean School Bus Program | $3 billion |
| Number of school bus replacements funded by the EPA's Clean School Bus Program | 8,000+ |
| Number of school districts receiving funding from the EPA's Clean School Bus Program | 1,200+ |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric school buses improve public health, save money, and enhance grid resilience
- Federal funding for electric school buses is at an all-time high
- Electric school buses are available from several manufacturers
- Electric school buses can act as mobile power units during disasters
- Electric school buses are safer, quieter, and more cost-effective
Electric school buses improve public health, save money, and enhance grid resilience
Electric school buses offer a host of benefits, from improving public health and saving money to enhancing grid resilience. As of October 1, 2024, there were 12,241 electric school bus commitments across the United States, with over two-thirds funded by the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program. This unprecedented funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, has accelerated the transition to electric school buses, bringing about positive impacts on public health, finances, and grid resilience.
Firstly, electric school buses improve public health, particularly for children. By replacing highly polluting diesel buses with clean electric models, school districts can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. A study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that switching to electric buses can lead to reduced rates of adult mortality and childhood asthma, with climate and health benefits valued at up to $247,600 per bus. These benefits are most pronounced in large metropolitan areas with populations exceeding one million, as a larger number of people benefit from improved air quality.
Secondly, electric school buses offer cost savings to school districts. While the initial investment in electric buses and charging infrastructure can be high, lower operating and maintenance costs associated with electric vehicles lead to long-term financial savings. Additionally, electric school buses can provide revenue-generating opportunities through vehicle-to-grid technology. During periods of high electricity demand or power outages, these buses can serve as mobile power plants, supplying stored energy back to the grid. This not only improves grid resilience but also generates revenue for school districts.
Furthermore, federal and state funding programs, such as the U.S. EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program, provide grants and rebates that support the transition to electric school buses. New Jersey, for instance, secured over 25 electric school buses using a combination of Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Funds and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative credits. Additionally, pay-as-you-save programs, where utilities cover the upfront costs of electrification with a small charge added to the school's electrical bill, make the transition more financially feasible for school districts.
In conclusion, electric school buses offer a multitude of advantages. They improve public health by reducing emissions and enhancing air quality, resulting in significant cost savings in the health sector. Additionally, their lower operating costs and ability to provide backup power contribute to financial savings and improved grid resilience. With increasing federal funding, growing community awareness, and a wider variety of electric models available, the shift towards electric school buses is gaining momentum, bringing about positive changes for both the environment and public well-being.
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Federal funding for electric school buses is at an all-time high
The EPA's Clean School Bus Program is a significant contributor to this initiative, having awarded nearly $3 billion to fund over 8,000 school bus replacements in more than 1,200 school districts. This funding is targeted at "priority" school districts, including those with high poverty levels, rural areas, and tribal nations. The program's fourth round of funding, announced in September 2024, will provide an additional $1 billion, further boosting the number of electric school buses.
The benefits of transitioning to electric school buses are significant. Electric buses improve public health, save school districts money, and enhance the resilience of the electrical grid. They also reduce vehicle emissions, providing cleaner air for children and communities, especially those disproportionately affected by pollution. Recognizing these advantages, federal and state governments offer grants and funding programs to assist school districts in adopting electric school buses.
The demand for funding electric school buses far outpaces the available amount. The first round of the federal Clean School Bus Program saw demand eight times higher than the supply. While funding is crucial, it must be complemented by financing to achieve electrification at scale. Combining funding with financing can extend public dollars and bring the benefits of electric school buses to more communities.
The transition to electric school buses is gaining momentum, with New York City securing $77 million in federal grants to electrify its school bus fleet. This funding will quadruple the number of electric school buses in the city and create the nation's first electric truck charging depot. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the environment, improving public health, and enhancing the well-being of communities.
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Electric school buses are available from several manufacturers
As of October 1, 2024, there were 12,241 electric school bus commitments in the US. These commitments include buses that have been awarded funding for purchase, have a formal purchase agreement, have been delivered, or are in operation. Electric school buses are available from several manufacturers, including:
Blue Bird
Blue Bird is recognised as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures school buses with a focus on safety, reliability, and durability. Blue Bird has delivered or has orders for more than 500 electric school buses as of December 2022.
Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses is more than just an electric school bus manufacturer; they are the Electric Bus Authority. In addition to manufacturing electric school buses, they provide resources and support for infrastructure planning, grants, and more. Thomas Built has delivered or has orders for more than 500 electric school buses as of December 2022. They work with Proterra, a leading manufacturer of battery and electric drivetrain solutions, to power their electric school buses.
Lion Electric
Lion Electric is another manufacturer that offers electric school buses. They are one of the vendors included in the Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative, which offers cooperative purchasing contracts for electric school buses. Lion Electric has delivered or has orders for more than 500 electric school buses as of December 2022.
Other Manufacturers
In addition to the above-mentioned manufacturers, there are several other companies that offer electric school buses, including Collins, Starcraft, IC Bus, and Transtech. The availability of electric school buses from multiple manufacturers provides options for school districts looking to electrify their fleets.
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Electric school buses can act as mobile power units during disasters
Electric school buses are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. As of October 1, 2024, there were 12,241 electric school bus commitments across 49 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several tribal nations. This number is expected to grow with additional funding from the Clean School Bus Program and the EPA's Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
Electric school buses offer significant benefits over traditional diesel buses, including reduced pollution, improved public health for children, cost savings for school districts, and enhanced grid resilience. One often overlooked advantage of electric school buses is their potential to act as mobile power units during disasters.
Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology enables electric school buses to provide emergency backup power during disaster response. This capability can be particularly useful in underserved communities that are typically the hardest hit by extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires. By leveraging the battery storage capacity of electric school buses, communities can access temporary power to support emergency shelters, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure until permanent power restorations can be made.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recognizes the potential of electric school buses as mobile power generators and has released funding opportunities to develop national standards for the Bus Exportable Power Systems program. This program aims to utilize the power stored in high-tech transit buses to provide electricity to affected communities during natural disasters and other emergencies.
As electric school bus fleets continue to expand, their dual purpose as transportation vehicles and mobile power units becomes increasingly valuable. Not only do they reduce pollution and improve public health, but they also enhance community resilience by providing a reliable source of emergency backup power when needed. This innovative application of electric school buses showcases their versatility and potential to transform disaster response and recovery efforts.
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Electric school buses are safer, quieter, and more cost-effective
As of October 2024, there are a total of 12,241 electric school bus commitments across the United States, with 49 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several tribal nations having made the switch. This unprecedented level of funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, the EPA's Clean School Bus Program, and the new Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
In addition to the health and environmental benefits, electric school buses are more cost-effective in the long term. While the upfront purchase price of an electric bus is higher, averaging around $350,000 to $500,000, the fuel and maintenance expenses are significantly lower. Over the lifetime of the bus, an electric school bus can save an average of $100,000 compared to a diesel bus. This cost savings can then be reinvested into classrooms and other areas of education.
To make the transition more accessible, funding and financing opportunities are available to help offset the higher upfront costs of electric school buses. The Clean School Bus Program, for example, provides $5 billion between 2022 and 2026 to replace diesel school buses with electric alternatives through grants and rebates. Additionally, subsidies from the federal government can help cover the incremental costs for school districts. By combining funding, financing, and operational cost savings, electric school buses can provide significant cost benefits to school districts and improve the overall student experience.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 2024, there are 12,174 committed electric school buses in the US. This number includes buses that have been awarded, ordered, delivered, or are in operation.
As of May 2024, 48 states had electric school buses delivered or in operation. Wyoming and Idaho were the only states without any.
A "committed" electric school bus is one that has been awarded funding for purchase or has a formal purchase agreement with a dealer or manufacturer.
Electric school buses offer a cleaner and healthier alternative to diesel buses, as they have zero tailpipe emissions. This can improve public health, especially for children who are more susceptible to the negative health effects of air pollution. Additionally, electric school buses can save school districts money and improve the resilience of the electrical grid.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program is a significant driver of the growth in electric school buses. The program provides $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and clean school buses. Other programs include California's Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project and the Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement, which has funded 706 commitments across 28 states.
