School Buses
Table of Contents
Introduction
School buses are far more eco-friendly than driving kids to school. The number of kids driven to school each year has been steadily rising, bringing with it dangers from toxic fumes, as well as higher rates of car accidents, which are particularly dangerous for the kids who will walk or ride. Even kids getting in and out of cars are at elevated risk as the areas surrounding schools gets more congested.
Walking, cycling, and other modes of active transport are by far the healthiest options for kids, giving them both physical exercise, but also giving their brains a boost before sitting in classrooms all day.
Check out our How To: Walk & Bike to School Program page if you want to learn more about getting kids active, and maki
Unfortunately walking and cycling aren't an option for all students! Some may need to get a lift due to disabilities, dangerous obstacles like major freeways, or simply living too far from their schools. This is where buses come in!
Why You Want Your Kid's School Bus to Be Electric
"There are a lot of reasons it makes sense for school buses to go electric. First, most new electric buses have a range of up to 120 miles (193 kilometers) on a single charge, which is plenty far enough for the average school bus route. Second, some charging systems, like the new 120kW DC Fast Charger from Bluebird, can charge a bus in just 90 minutes. Plus, electric buses also require a lot less maintenance than their diesel counterparts.
But it's also simple numbers: School buses currently make up around 80 percent of the buses on the roads in the U.S. and 95 percent of those run on high-polluting diesel fuel. Right now, less than 1 percent are electric. (For context, the entire U.S. transit fleet has around 70,000 public transportation buses, which is less than 15 percent of the total number of 480,000 school buses.)
"Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.," says Lauren Justice, development director at the Center for Transportation and the Environment. "The medium- and heavy-duty sector produces more than 25 percent of these emissions, despite comprising less than 5 percent of vehicles on the road."
If the entire school bus fleet were electrified, greenhouse gas emissions from all buses in the U.S. would be reduced by around 50 percent.
Along with the issue of adding greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, increasing global warming and its associated risks, these emissions are also harmful for the 20 million school children who ride these buses to school. Not only are these buses emitting in the neighborhoods through which they drive, but the pollution inside the bus can actually be up to 12 times higher than ambient levels.
In addition, it's an issue of equity. According to the World Resources Institute, students from low-income communities are particularly exposed to this toxic pollution. From WRI:
Sixty percent of students from low-income families ride the bus to school, compared to 45 percent of students from families with higher incomes. Moreover, communities of color are more likely to suffer from vehicle-based air pollution due to historically racist lending, transit, housing and zoning policies that concentrated black and brown communities closer to highways and other pollution sources.
"Switching from diesel-powered school buses to electric could avoid an average of 5.3 million tons [4.8 metric tons] of greenhouse gas emissions each year, and over 700,000 pounds [317,514 kilograms] of EPA-criteria pollutants emitted near children," Justice says." - How Stuff Works
Resources
For Districts & Schools
Power Planner for Electric School Bus Deployment (PDF) "Nine Key Steps for School Districts"
Step-by-Step Guide for School Bus Electrification "Your detailed guide to the things to know, steps to take, stakeholders to consult, and questions to ask for a successful and equitable transition to electric school buses." Select stages from the list on the left, to read more about each step."
For Students
How Students Can Take Action for Electric School Buses "As a student, you face the greatest risk of the dangers of school bus diesel exhaust pollution. Here’s what you can do."
North America
Canada
British Columbia
Ontario
Yellow Buses Go Green "A review of the climate, health, and economic benefits of accelerating electric school bus adoption across Ontario"
USA
Alliance for Electric School Buses: Resources "coalition members have been helping to bring electric school buses to communities across the country for many years. Here are some of the resources they’ve developed, for school districts, advocates and elected leaders! Feel free to use them and share them." Recursos en Español.
EPA: Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Resources "DOE offers electric school bus education via their series, “Flipping the Switch on Electric School Buses”, that covers everything from electric school bus basics to utility considerations, charging infrastructure, and more."
Florida
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Electric School Bus Project – Initial Phase Application Worksheet (PDF) "Florida public school districts may use this grant application worksheet to apply for up to 100 percent cost-reimbursement from the Department for the replacement of 2009 or older diesel school buses with new electric battery powered school buses and associated charging infrastructure. Funding in the amount of $5 million will be provided on a first come, first served basis. School districts within an Air Quality Priority Area designated in the Mitigation Plan are eligible for this initial phase."
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Application Worksheet (PDF) "Florida public school districts may use this grant application worksheet to apply for up to 75 percent cost-reimbursement from the Department for the replacement of 2009 or older diesel Type C or Type D school buses with new electric-battery powered Type C or Type D school buses. Only school districts within an Air Quality Priority Area designated in the Mitigation Plan are eligible for this project. School districts must provide at least a 25 percent cost share. Funding in the amount of $57 million will be provided on a competitive basis with school districts that provide the highest cost share being prioritized."
Virginia
Arlington Public Schools: Bus Eligibility Zones "Bus Eligibility Zone maps are designed to assist families in planning safe routes to school."
Oceana
Australia
Next stop: Zero emissions buses by 2030 (PDF) "To reduce rising transport emissions, policies to support the electrification of public transport bus fleets by 2030 should be prioritised."
Western Australia
Electric school buses for Western Australia: Feasibility Study "This research will assess the feasibility of battery-electric buses for regional school bus services in Western Australia; identify and, where needed, propose solutions for electricity network capacity constraints; and identify the technical support services required for zero emissions buses and related infrastructure.
...
This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space! "
Programs
Europe
Italy
Enel X "in Rome... Through a partnership between XBus (a joint venture between Enel X with Infracapital) and Arriva Italia 20 new electric buses for daily school transportation for more than a thousand children with disabilities in the capital. “The project in question is tangible proof of how it is possible to combine sustainability and inclusion“, Enel X stresses." - Sustainable Bus
Poland
“Kangaroo: A Safe and Environmentally Friendly Way to School” Programme (Article) "They take pupils to school in three Polish communes: Godzianów, Gręboszów and Bielany."
North America
Antigua
Donated Electric Buses to be Added to School Bus Fleet "“These are two 20-seater school buses [with] a hundred miles of drivable range, so you can achieve everywhere you want to go in Antigua – there and back – a couple times over. [Additionally], you get exposure, these kids will get an understanding of what the future will look like,” Barreto said."
Canada
British Columbia
USA
EPA: Clean School Bus Program "With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models."
California
School Bus Replacement Program "offers funds to replace old diesel school buses in disadvantaged and low-income communities throughout California. The California Energy Commission is helping schools embrace next-generation zero-emission vehicles and improve children’s health by reducing their exposure to transportation-related air pollution."
Hawaii
Hawaii unveils five new electric buses "These buses are the first in the nation to provide clean transportation for keiki going to school -- and for tourists." Funded for via the Diesel School Bus Replacement Program
New York
New York State: NYSERDA: Electric School Buses "The State is leading the way with its legislative framework to require school bus fleet transition and making available funding to support this effort. NYSERDA can assist your school district or your district’s bus contractor with technical assistance to navigate the transition to an all-electric fleet."
Texas
Texas Clean School Bus Program "The Texas Clean School Bus (TCSB) program is a comprehensive program designed to reduce emissions of diesel exhaust from school buses."
Virginia
Dominion Electricity: Electric School Buses "we are committed to helping Virginia become a leader in clean pupil transportation, while reducing our carbon footprint and helping our customers do the same. In 2019, we announced that we would partner with Virginia school districts as they began replacing diesel buses in their fleets with electric models.
We will continue our commitment by providing fast-charging solutions to help school districts that receive electric school bus funding from federal and state grants. This ongoing initiative will further benefit our environment, our communities, our schools, and most importantly, our children."
West Virginia
Oceana
Australia
Gold Coast School Jumps Onboard Electric School Bus Trial to Inspire Curious Young Minds (Article) "The trial is the only one of its type on the Gold Coast, with the school hoping to transition its fleet over five years."
Organizations
North America
Canada
British Columbia
USA
Alliance for Electric School Buses "We believe that electric school buses can help protect children’s health (and even boost their academic performance) while helping the United States reach its climate and environmental justice goals. Together, organizing our communities and calling for change, we can provide our children a cleaner ride to school." Por Español.
Beneficial Electrification League (BEL) "a non-profit organization that works closely with rural electric cooperatives and public power utility providers on electrification initiatives, have joined with EPA to pledge their support for school bus electrification."
Virginia
Dominion Electricity: Electric School Buses "we are committed to helping Virginia become a leader in clean pupil transportation, while reducing our carbon footprint and helping our customers do the same. In 2019, we announced that we would partner with Virginia school districts as they began replacing diesel buses in their fleets with electric models.
We will continue our commitment by providing fast-charging solutions to help school districts that receive electric school bus funding from federal and state grants. This ongoing initiative will further benefit our environment, our communities, our schools, and most importantly, our children."
Maps
North America
USA
The State of Electric School Bus Adoption in the US "Districts across the country are making the switch to electric. We're keeping track." This page offers two maps and a variety of graphs.
Grants & Funding
Be aware that if a grant opportunity is "closed", there is a good chance it will be renewed another year. Be sure to check back or sign up for notifications with your local grant organizations.
Asia
India
PM-eBus Sewa "aims to deploy a total of 10,000 electric buses in 169 Indian cities within ten years and to create the infrastructure, including charging technology, to operate the electric buses." - Electrive: India Introduces New Electric Bus Grant Programme
Europe
Poland
North America
Canada
British Columbia
The Association of School Transportation Services of BC: CIB Financing (PDF) "The CIB is offering up to $100,000 in financing per electric school bus (“ZEB”) purchased pursuant to the ASTSBC’s Go Electric School Bus Program. The financing is innovative in that repayment is based on ZEB operating costs (electricity usage and maintenance costs) being at or below expectations. The CIB shares in the risk of those costs being higher than an agreed forecast. A more detailed description of the program can be found at: CIB ZEB Initiative"
USA
Diesel School Bus Replacement Program "The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) will provide funding for the replacement of older diesel school buses. Model year 2018 and older school buses must be replaced with 2019 or newer model year propane, gasoline, or diesel engines pursuant to California Air Resources Board Optional Low-NOx Standards. The program is funded by Nebraska’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program. For more information, including application details, visit the NDEE Volkswagen Settlement and Clean Diesel Rebate Program websites."
EPA: Clean School Bus Program Grants learn about eligibility and other resources. If you notice that the current funding window is closed, check back at a later month as this grant appears to be one that reopens each year.
Electric School Bus Initiative: Clearinghouse Electric School Bus Funding and Financing Opportunities "Looking for funding and financing options for electric school buses? Download our Clearinghouse and start exploring."
California
California Air Districts "California's 35 local Air Districts are responsible for regional air quality planning, monitoring, and stationary source and facility permitting. The districts administer air quality improvement grant programs and are CARB's primary partners in efforts to ensure that all Californians breathe clean air."
California Air Resources Board: Funding for Clean School Buses
The California Grants Portal "(a project by the California State Library) is your one destination to find all grants and loans offered on a competitive or first-come basis by California state agencies."
School Bus Replacement Program "offers funds to replace old diesel school buses in disadvantaged and low-income communities throughout California. The California Energy Commission is helping schools embrace next-generation zero-emission vehicles and improve children’s health by reducing their exposure to transportation-related air pollution."
Florida
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Electric School Bus Project – Initial Phase Application Worksheet (PDF) "Florida public school districts may use this grant application worksheet to apply for up to 100 percent cost-reimbursement from the Department for the replacement of 2009 or older diesel school buses with new electric battery powered school buses and associated charging infrastructure. Funding in the amount of $5 million will be provided on a first come, first served basis. School districts within an Air Quality Priority Area designated in the Mitigation Plan are eligible for this initial phase."
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Application Worksheet (PDF) "Florida public school districts may use this grant application worksheet to apply for up to 75 percent cost-reimbursement from the Department for the replacement of 2009 or older diesel Type C or Type D school buses with new electric-battery powered Type C or Type D school buses. Only school districts within an Air Quality Priority Area designated in the Mitigation Plan are eligible for this project. School districts must provide at least a 25 percent cost share. Funding in the amount of $57 million will be provided on a competitive basis with school districts that provide the highest cost share being prioritized."
Minnesota
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Electric School Bus Grant "The grant reduces diesel emissions and improves air quality and public health by removing older diesel buses and replacing them with new, cleaner electric buses. The primary goals of this project are to improve the health and wellbeing of children and communities by reducing diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota and promote the use of technology that utilizes clean, renewable energy sources."
Oceana
Australia
ACT
Free registration for zero-emissions vehicles "The ACT Government is offering 2 years of free registration for new or used zero-emissions vehicles in the ACT that have been purchased or acquired from 24 May 2021 and before 30 June 2024."
Northern Territory
The Electric Vehicle Charger (Residential and Business) Grants Scheme "provides funding to buy and install an electric vehicle (EV) charger at your residential property or business."
Queensland
School Bus Upgrade Scheme (SchoolBUS) "The Queensland Government provides funding to eligible school bus delivery partners to assist with the purchase of new buses or buses that are less than 5 years old. The objective of the scheme is to help accelerate the introduction of rollover-compliant buses into the Queensland school bus fleet."
Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme "Rebates are available to eligible Queensland individuals and businesses who have purchased a new zero emission vehicle (ZEV)."
Western Australia
Workplace EV Charging Grants "The Government of Western Australia is providing $15 million of grants for businesses to co-fund the cost of electric vehicle (EV) recharging infrastructure.
The EV chargers can be installed in the car park at your workplace or depot to be used by employees, fleet vehicles and visitors to ‘charge up at work’."
Educational Opportunities
Opportunities listed here are aimed at helping to build a workforce who can help support the shift to e-buses, hydrogen, or whatever energy efficient type the local system moves toward.
Asia
India
The Ebus Upschool Programme "is a capacity building programme organised at national level to address the training needs for increasing uptake of electric buses in India. The programme will help with public transport association personnel’s skill up-gradation and simultaneously prepare them to tackle challenges for transitioning from ICE bases buses to e-Buses. At the larger level, the programme aims to help Indian cities prepare for future energy transition to clean and green energy."
Electric Bus Companies
These were some companies we found while researching this topic. Being listed here is not a recommendation of any specific company.
The following are just examples, and not a full list of companies.
International
Blue Bird "offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East."
Africa
Blue Bird "offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East."
Asia
Blue Bird "offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East."
Karsan Offers several e-buses. Distributors across Europe and some countries in Western Asia.
Europe
Blue Bird "offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East."
Karsan Offers several e-buses. Distributors across Europe and some countries in Western Asia.
Solaris "is Europe’s leading producer of electric buses. So far, it has delivered over 1000 e-buses with various configurations to 18 European countries. Among them, there are three electric vehicles dedicated to the transportation of children and youngsters."
France
Ireland
Pelican Bus + Coach: Buses "All of our electric buses are fully zero emission vehicles and always will be. The heating system is driven via electric air conditioning, providing zero emissions in combination with an enhanced driver and passenger experience."
Italy
Enel X "in Rome... Through a partnership between XBus (a joint venture between Enel X with Infracapital) and Arriva Italia 20 new electric buses for daily school transportation for more than a thousand children with disabilities in the capital. “The project in question is tangible proof of how it is possible to combine sustainability and inclusion“, Enel X stresses." - Sustainable Bus
Poland
Solaris "is Europe’s leading producer of electric buses. So far, it has delivered over 1000 e-buses with various configurations to 18 European countries. Among them, there are three electric vehicles dedicated to the transportation of children and youngsters. They take pupils to school in three Polish communes: Godzianów, Gręboszów and Bielany." "The purchase of the eco-friendly vehicle has been subsidised by the NFOŚiGW"
Romania
Solaris "is Europe’s leading producer of electric buses. So far, it has delivered over 1000 e-buses with various configurations to 18 European countries. Among them, there are three electric vehicles dedicated to the transportation of children and youngsters."
Spain
Sweden
BYD "On January 25 (2022), BYD’s 70,000th pure electric bus officially rolled off the assembly line, with a 13-meter one leaving the bus base in Hangzhou to be delivered to Sweden."
UK
Pelican Bus + Coach: Buses "All of our electric buses are fully zero emission vehicles and always will be. The heating system is driven via electric air conditioning, providing zero emissions in combination with an enhanced driver and passenger experience."
North America
Blue Bird "offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East."
BYD "introduced an electric school bus model in North America. Being more specific, the bus is a Type A battery electric vehicle and, what is interesting, «offers innovative vehicle-to-grid technology, allowing the vehicle to serve as a power storage resource when it’s not transporting students», the Chinese giant says." - Sustainable Bus
Collins Bus Corporation "Fueled by a drive to innovate, we’ve grown from our roots as the industry leader in Type A school bus building to become a force in the commercial bus market. With exclusive features, legendary strength, and unsurpassed safety, each Collins bus is designed to meet your needs and trusted for every trip."
Enel X "Removes the High Up-front Cost of Electrification. School Districts and Bus Operating Companies simplify their electrification journey with a comprehensive bundled solution and one annual fee."
Green Power Motor Company Purpouse-built, all-electric vehicles.
Lion Electric offer several models of electric school buses.
Micro Bird "was first to market electric school buses in 1994. With advances in battery technology, we can now offer efficient and affordable electric-powered buses. Our All American RE Electric bus and Vision Electric bus has the same, reliable body structure of our other rear engine bus offerings, and is powered by the Cummins Drivetrain system. This system has been proven in multiple applications, with over 25 million miles of drive time."
Thomas Built Buses Inc "It’s no secret that electric school buses are built to make tomorrow cleaner, greener and brighter. But they’re also designed with innovations to make todays’ school routes smarter, more efficient—and even safer. The future has arrived, right on schedule."
Tranton "Electric mobility has now reached the legendary yellow school buses in North America. Market leader IC Bus, which belongs to the TRATON GROUP brand Navistar, put its first all-electric buses on the road in mid-2021."
USA
IC Bus "As the market leader in school bus manufacturing, IC Bus is charging ahead with an electrified version of our flagship CE school bus model. Leveraging the expertise of our zero emissions team, IC Bus is looking at the total picture for school bus fleet electrification — helping you switch successfully."
South America
Blue Bird "offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East."