The use of electric school buses has grown tremendously over the past few years, with over 12,000 electric school buses in operation, ordered, or with earmarked funding across the nation. And with 101 set to run in Minnesota and a variety of funding options available, there is no better time for school districts to consider transitioning their student transportation fleets.
During the 2023 Legislative Session, the Minnesota legislature secured $13 million for the establishment of an electric school bus deployment grants program to provide grants to accelerate the deployment of electric school buses by school districts and to encourage schools to use vehicle electrification as a teaching tool that can be integrated into the school’s curriculum. Learn more about the grant program, and find other resources for beginning or continuing your school bus fleet electrification journey.
Electric school buses can provide benefits to everyone in a community. From the reduction in harmful air pollutants emitted, to the long-term fuel cost savings, there are plenty of reasons for school districts to incorporate electric school buses into their student transportation system.
Electric school buses are:
Already working in Minnesota
There are 10 electric school buses already operating in six Minnesota school districts, showing that electric school buses can operate during Minnesota winters while keeping students and drivers warm, safe, and on time.
Cleaner and healthier
Since electric school buses don’t have to burn diesel or gas, they don’t emit harmful air pollutants or unpleasant smells while in operation. This reduces health impacts such as asthma for both the students and driver, as well as for the communities those buses drive through.
Safe
Electric school buses must meet the same safety standards as all school buses. In addition, electric school buses are quieter, which helps with student management.
A teaching opportunity
Schools can use electric school buses to enhance their curriculum at any grade level. From teaching about the mechanics of maintaining electric vehicles to the science of greenhouse gas emissions, electric school buses can provide hands-on learning opportunities for a variety of courses.
A money-saving measure
Electric school buses are cheaper to operate and maintain. Funding opportunities provided by the state and federal government can cover as much as the entire upfront cost of the electric school bus, which means switching could save a school district money right away.