Ride the bus toward better health for our planet, our communities and our economy
Electric school bus fleets steer the way to cleaner air and broad economic benefits
When you replace diesel school bus fleets with zero-emission electric vehicles, you make big contributions toward health, economic growth and the viability of our national infrastructure. The Electric School Bus Coalition (ESBC) unites bus manufacturers, electric utilities, NGOs and material providers to move these priorities forward. With nearly half a million school buses on U.S. roads, zero-emission replacements can have a huge impact.
Advantages of electric buses
Cleaner Air
Pollution poses many health risks, especially for young children. In New York City alone, 46,000 diesel buses emit 2.9 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Reduced use of fossil fuels
Electric buses minimize fuel use on our roads, and each can save school districts nearly $2,000 per year in fuel costs.
Economic growth
All of the four major bus manufacturers that serve North America build in North America and add to the manufacturing economy.
Global competitiveness
By 2025, the global market for electric school buses is projected to grow 19% each year, to $32 billion by the end of 2025.
Electric grid support
An electric bus fleet can help support the case for more e-vehicle infrastructure and manage North American electrical grid use, charging during low-cost hours.
Longer service life and reduced operating costs
Electric school buses cost 60% less to operate and maintain than diesel buses.
In the U.S. alone, 480,000 buses carry more than 25 million children to school
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The U.S. school bus fleet is 2.5 times larger than any other form of mass transit
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55% of U.S. public school students ride the bus to school
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Pollution levels inside diesel buses average 5-10 times higher than in the neighborhoods they travel
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What we support
- $25 billion to implement electric school buses and their charging infrastructure over 10 years and across the entire U.S.
- Advanced depreciation of diesel buses to make it easier for school districts and municipalities to switch
- Funding priority for low-income, rural and environmental-justice communities
- 100% funding for low-income communities in addition to cost-share programs, making the most of federal funding
- Phased program requirements so school districts can take diesel buses out of service without jeopardizing routine transportation
- Coordination of federal and state environmental, transportation and energy-policy agencies
- Equal treatment for all school districts whether or not they own and operate their fleets