The bus bounces over this Boston suburb's patched streets in a way that would be familiar to anyone who ever rode a bus to class. But the bus is quiet – and not just because there are no kids on board.Right now, only a tiny fraction of the roughly 480,000 school buses in America are battery-powered. Most still use gasoline or diesel engines, just as they have for decades.
But this isn't like selling electric vehicles to drivers. School districts have to navigate a confusing array of subsidies and restrictions — and deal with the awkward fact that right now, a new EV bus costs a lot more than a traditional diesel-powered bus .is working on, as the batteries required to deliver the distance weigh a lot and take hours to recharge.
Plus, the buses' large batteries can store and deliver energy to power buildings and other devices, whether temporarily in an emergency or as part of a larger renewable-energy strategy.ESBs are expensive: Battery-electric versions of small "Type A" school buses cost roughly $250,000, versus $50,000 to $65,000 for diesel; full-size "Type C" or "Type D" buses can range from $320,000 to $440,000 in electric form, versus about $100,000 for diesel.
"We think for the next three or four years, as costs come down, as scale goes up, we'll need to have those incentives in place to make the numbers work," she said. "You've got more expensive equipment, but it operates much cheaper," he said, noting that — as with other EVs — the costs of charging and maintaining an electric school bus are considerably lower than with gas or diesel buses.
Not all of those applications, which combined amount to nearly $4 billion in subsidies, will be approved immediately. The EPA awarded about $1 billion in funds in October, giving priority to low-income, rural, and tribal communities. It expects to distribute another $1 billion in 2023.
Won't Kamala be gitty!
I wonder about the liability when one of them catches fire and suddenly kills 40 kids...WHAT you gonna ban EV buses?
I wouldn’t allow my kid to go on an electric bus. They catch fire and are dangerous. Keep your kids safe don’t fall for the electric propaganda.
The economics of EV for any local fleet are undeniable. The refueling and maintenance savings are dramatic - so the break-even point on the acquisition and charging support costs is well within the life cycle.
such a waste of precious resources. invest in STEM... not handouts to electric car/bus companies.
I've been on Twitter 5 mins and it didn't take long for Americans little yellow kiddie bus to appear, I'm looking in the mirror burgy boy.
At best with solar panels at the roof !
Amazing initiative lots of stability and limited use , EV are best for schools. No rush easy going
Proterra_Inc powered
sounds like a wonderful idea till someday a battery pack catches on fire with people inside
I applaud this. Kids do not need to be exposed to diesel fumes.
Define cleaner because have you investigated e manufacturing?
So in my state they are closing power stations and plan to replace them with 'sustainable' energy(solar, wind) The plan plainly claims a goal of 15% reduction in total energy capacity. 200-300 MW less than is currently produced. There is absolutely no chance that works.
Should be investing In paying teachers. The teacher shortage is already here. Most of the older teachers got out during Covid. Many school district have unfilled positions across all core subjects.
And the education they get to go with it not worth a flip 👎
A clean environment has the ultimate value!
I only rode school buses a few times, but I remember breathing in diesel fumes. I can only imagine doing this on a daily basis.
not if you take the health costs in to the calculations and also the amount of extra learning they get