Electric School Buses: A Better Way Forward
Did you know that school buses are the biggest fleet of public transit systems in the country?
The industry transports 26 million students each day, covering millions of miles. Electric buses and electric vans are helping to fight greenhouse gases, decreasing air pollution and noise. The U.S. government and Wisconsin are dedicated to protecting children's health and reducing toxic air pollution. Federal, state, and local agencies have dedicated funds to help subsidize your school district's transition to electric school buses (ESVs). The federal government's "Clean School Bus" program currently funds more than 2,400 low and zero-emission school buses for 389 school districts nationwide. This is phase one of a five-year, $5 billion program. Has your school district been selected for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate program? Mid-State Truck Services is here to assist you with planning and to order your electric buses.
Cost of Bus/Fuel/Electricity - Electric school buses are considerably more expensive than a standard diesel bus; however, they come with the advantage of a lower total cost of ownership. Lower maintenance and fuel costs can save fleet operators an estimated $170,000 to $240,000 over the bus's lifetime. Stable electric prices alone make fueling and operational costs more predictable for school districts.
Reduced Maintenance and Repairs - EV Buses have fewer moving parts than their diesel counterparts, making them less likely to need repairs or replacement parts. Fleet owners and districts can benefit from up to 60% maintenance savings over diesel buses. Electrification of your fleet will provide more uptime of reliable transportation for students. EV Buses will eliminate the need for traditional maintenance like oil and brake fluid changes, engine tune-ups, spark plugs, and filter replacements. One of the most popular benefits of an electric bus is no need for diesel exhaust fluid or a diesel particulate filter, which has been known to increase maintenance costs over the bus's lifetime.
Reduced Noise - Electric school buses produce little or no engine noise compared to traditional diesel-powered vehicles due to their electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE). This makes these vehicles ideal for urban areas where noise pollution is an issue for residents who live near schools or playgrounds.
Cost Savings on Fuel - The cost savings from using electricity as your power source may outweigh the initial purchase price. With an electric bus, you can save thousands in fuel costs each year thanks to their all-electric drivetrains. Charging costs compared to fuel costs are reduced by 40-75%. IC Bus Electric CE Series offers two battery options for a range of route lengths, allowing you to customize your battery use to your district's needs.
Convenient Fueling - Battery-powered buses make fueling more convenient by charging directly at the school campus or bus garage. On-site charging allows drivers to fuel buses without returning to a central depot, increasing reliability and enabling longer-range route planning. Fleet owners can also leverage vehicle-to-grid technology. Buses not in use during the day and during summer can charge when prices are low.
Transitioning your district to an electric fleet may feel like a daunting task. There are so many questions to be answered when developing your zero-emission strategy. Mid-State Truck offers consulting services, including evaluating battery electric bus requirements and efficiencies, route simulations, and education on all available funding sources, grants, and tax incentives. We have highly trained EV specialists on staff to assist you with your journey to electrification.
