Benefits of Clean School Buses
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Benefits of Electric School Buses
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Zero tailpipe pollution -- students, drivers, and members of the community will be exposed to significantly less harmful diesel emissions like PM and NOX
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel school buses
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Less brake wear due to regenerative braking and no engine or exhaust system maintenance
- Potential for reduced fuel costs compared to diesel depending on electricity costs
- Quiet, clean operation
- Potential for fleets to partner with local utilities to feed power back into the grid when buses are not in use and electricity demand is high
- Improved student attendance and academic achievement1
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has useful information on the pros and cons of using electricity to power school buses.
Benefits of Alternative Fuel School Buses
- Reduced tailpipe pollution -- students, drivers, and members of the community will be exposed to less harmful diesel emissions like PM and NOX
- Potential for reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel depending on the alternative fuel that is used
- Potential for reduced fuel costs compared to diesel depending on the alternative fuel that is used
- Improved student attendance and academic achievement1
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has useful information on the pros and cons of using natural gas and propane to power school buses.
1 Wes, A. et al. School bus emissions, student health and academic performance. Economics of Education Review (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2019.03.002; Pedde, M., Szpiro, A., Hirth, R. et al. Randomized design evidence of the attendance benefits of the EPA School Bus Rebate Program. Nat Sustain (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01088-7