West Aurora School District 129 is actively considering the introduction of electric school buses into its transportation fleet. This forward-thinking proposal involves replacing 27 older diesel-powered buses with new, environmentally friendly electric models. As part of a broader sustainability initiative, which has already seen the implementation of geothermal and solar energy solutions, the district is now focusing on electrification of their school buses, according to Assistant Superintendent Angie Smith.
Identifying routes that total 60 miles or less each day, the district has established that these trips will comfortably fall within the capabilities of modern electric buses that boast a range of approximately 100 miles on a full charge. Even factoring in potential battery degradation during colder months, these routes are deemed suitable. Despite no final decision being made yet by the school board, the district is eager to pursue this green initiative.
Currently, the district boasts 73 buses powered by diesel. Remarkably, half of these are under lease agreements set to expire at the conclusion of this school year. While transitioning to electric buses has previously been hindered by high costs, recent developments are making this option more financially viable. Assistant Superintendent Smith noted that the initial expense of electric buses is roughly three times that of their diesel counterparts. However, with the support of competitive pricing, federal funding, and various rebates, this cost gap is narrowing.
Notably, the district was awarded a substantial $5.5 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program. In addition, federal tax credits worth over a million dollars, along with ComEd incentives projected to exceed $380,000, are available. When these financial factors are combined, the cost of electric buses becomes attractive. Smith highlighted that electric models would not only be cheaper to operate but, thanks to the incentives, could eventually cost less than natural gas buses, which do not benefit from similar subsidies.
The administration has tentatively recommended exploring a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets, a Massachusetts-based company with extensive experience in electric bus initiatives nationwide. Without the available funding and incentives, Smith acknowledged that such a recommendation might not hold the same appeal.
With these incentives, electric buses are projected to have a net cost of $50,000 per unit, a third of the cost of a diesel-powered equivalent. Smith expressed enthusiasm for this project, framing it as an opportunity to trial electric vehicles with minimal risk or substantial local financial investment. If the proposal moves forward, the district aims to have 27 electric buses operational by the 2025-26 school year. This would position West Aurora School District as a leader in the state for the number of electric buses in use by a public school system. The local community and stakeholders are watching closely as the school board deliberates on this potential transformational shift towards sustainable transportation. Linda Girardi reports on behalf of The Beacon-News.
