The Case for Electrifying Bus Fleets

United States-based manufacturers are ready to churn out fleets of electric buses for K–12 school districts—lowering operations costs and improving the environment. Federal, state, and local incentives sweeten the deal.

Now is an excellent time for K–12 “yellow” school buses to transition to zero-emission electric buses. Key factors driving this shift include substantial federal and state financial incentives that cover a significant portion of the price, the availability of U.S. manufactured electric buses, and advancements in engineering and battery technology that have dramatically improved ranges and lowered initial investment costs.

Decades ago, the reputation of school buses as gross polluters was well deserved. For many, yellow school buses evoke memories of backfires, black smoke belching from the tailpipe, and noxious fumes wafting into the air — not to mention the main cabin.

Those older diesel engines emitted up to 20 times more air pollution, such as hazardous air toxins and asthma-inducing particulate matter, compared to modern engines with advanced pollution controls.  While much cleaner today, diesel buses still emit substantial amounts of air pollution, including nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, that affect our health, natural resources, and climate. Diesel exhaust also contains fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

Quiet, Clean Transportation  

As an eco-friendlier alternative, electric buses offer a quiet, clean transportation experience for riders. With zero tailpipe emissions, they significantly reduce air pollution and operate with minimal sound, reducing noise pollution. Depending on the region’s electricity mix, electric buses can produce 1.4 to 7.7 times fewer emissions compared to diesel buses. K-12 school routes in urban and suburban areas typically span 5–15 miles per trip, while routes in some rural districts can range from 50 to 75 miles daily. Recent advancements in battery technology have increased ranges to 100–150 miles per charge, making buses a prime candidate for electrification.

Funding Opportunities 

The financial rationale for electric buses is also compelling, as both federal and state authorities provide substantial incentives, including EPA grants, rebates, and voucher programs to offset the initial investment. In many cases, application procedures have been simplified and disbursement of funds expedited for the replacement of existing buses.

One of the most notable subsidy programs is the Clean School Bus Program, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower school bus emissions, enhancing air quality and protecting children’s health.

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program allocates $5 billion over five years (FY 2022–2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Each fiscal year, $500 million is available for zero-emission buses, and an additional $500 million is available for both zero-emission and other low-emission buses.

United States-based manufacturers have moved beyond concepts and early prototypes to full production. For example, one manufacturer’s electric school bus model uses a combination of aluminum for the body and high-strength steel in its construction. Aluminum reduces vehicle weight by approximately 20%, which means less energy is required to move the bus and increases vehicle range. A lighter vehicle also enhances acceleration, braking, and handling.

As part of the EPA Clean School Bus Program, the Kopperl Independent School District in Texas, which is about 90 minutes southwest of Dallas, was awarded three electric school buses to transport students along regular routes.

Superintendent Katrina Adcock says Kopperl ISD was able to save substantial money as a recipient of the award. The total cost for the district for three electric buses is less than what they would have had to pay for one gas-powered bus.