With $3 billion in grants now disbursed across the country, the EPA continues to make headlines for spurring the clean bus transition. However, hurdles to local electric bus rollouts are also making the news. Some early adopters have struggled with keeping their new fleets consistently in service, as well as with the fact that EPA Clean Bus grants alone often do not entirely cover the cost of installing the necessary charging infrastructure to support an EV bus fleet.
Fortunately, school districts can overcome the most common EV bus challenges with the right expertise. Here’s a look at strategies to ensure a smooth clean bus transition and equitable, reliable school bus service.
Challenge: How will you charge your electric school buses?
Designing a charging system:
School districts are discovering that the EV transition is not as easy as buying buses and hitting the road. Most districts will need to build out new charging infrastructure and upgrade existing electricity systems to accommodate an electric school bus fleet. Working with an expert industry partner in charging infrastructure will be key to designing a system that meets your specific needs.
That design process starts by determining what mix of charging station types and schedules will be needed to power your fleet effectively. Peak electricity demand costs, locations of existing garaging, the size of vehicle models, and availability of off-site public charging stations can all impact the feasibility and complexity to operate an EV-ready bus depot.
Grid integration is another important consideration to ensure stable, resilient power. It is important to coordinate with your local utility early in the transition process to ensure the load capacity and distribution infrastructure exists to support your increased electrical consumption. Another smart strategy is to augment your charging infrastructure by incorporating onsite solar energy and microgrid technology. These will aid in curbing increased electricity costs and reducing strain on the local power grid. What’s more, onsite solar will help ensure that you are charging your buses with clean, low-carbon electricity that’s better for the environment.
Funding EV charging infrastructure:
Billions of dollars in funding focused on facilitating the EV transition are currently available from federal and state governments. In addition, the federal government has made tax credits—like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Credit (30C)—available to school districts via a mechanism called direct pay. Since grant and incentive programs often only cover a portion of the cost to transition to an electric bus fleet, school districts should actively pursue (and stack!) these funding sources. For a comprehensive list of funding opportunities, refer to the WRI’s Clearinghouse of Electric School Bus Funding and Financing Opportunities.
Your local utility can also help fund your ongoing EV operations. Many are making utility rebates available to school districts for participating in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs. These benefit the utility by allowing them to bi-directionally use excess power stored in bus batteries to stabilize the local grid. In turn, V2G programs reduce costs for schools by allowing them to charge buses during low-rate periods and manage charge rates to protect long-term battery health.
Challenge: How will you ensure equitable, uninterrupted EV bus service?
Re-evaluating bus routes for reliability:
With electric school buses, efficient use of mileage becomes critical. Schools need to re-evaluate daily routes based on the size and topography of their district alongside the usable range of the EV bus models they have purchased. Factors such as average temperatures, elevation, and wind must be considered when planning routes. The good news is, electric buses are performing reliably in a range of climates and geographic conditions across 49 states, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative.
A bumpy roll-out with outages and transportation delays can have long-term impacts on future support, but the right partner can help you begin roll-out planning early to prevent service disruptions. Start by making electrical infrastructure upgrades while waiting for chargers, buses, and other equipment to arrive. Working with the bus manufacturer to reskill key staff in EV bus maintenance and operations is another proactive way of combating potential challenges. Lastly, it’s important to enact a strong communication strategy that will leave community stakeholders feeling informed and supportive of your district’s transition to electric buses.
Using the EV bus transition to create equity:
By prioritizing roll-out for communities that have been disproportionately affected by diesel exhaust pollution, the transition to electric school buses can positively impact the entire community. Children in low income, rural areas or students with disabilities who tend to travel longer distances on school buses can especially benefit from cleaner, electric buses.
In rural areas, where energy resources are more limited, additional steps may be necessary to enable EV charging infrastructure. The US Department of Transportation has provided additional resources to help rural communities overcome this hurdle and safeguard equitable access to school bus services.
Harness the full potential of an electric school bus fleet
Electric buses offer many advantages, including lower operational and fuel costs. However, they also come with a steep learning curve. Whether you’ve already taken advantage of clean bus incentives or are just considering it, ensure your success by strategically planning resilient, future-ready EV fleets with a proven partner.
Schneider Electric can implement the right solutions for your school district, as well as identify innovative funding to make it a reality. Download our school bus electrification checklist today to learn more.
