Electrification Lessons & Resources
At NYCSBUS, we are actively transitioning to electric school buses (ESBs) and want to share our journey. Below are insights, and resources to help you navigate your own electrification process.
Our Advice:
Just Get Started
If we could offer our advice, it’d be to get started. We get it can be overwhelming and intimidating though, so here’s how we would approach things if we had to do it all over again:
Block out two 45 minute periods to read WRI’s website.
Apply for grants! If you’re thinking about applying to federal grants, we also suggest registering for a sam.gov account today to get ahead on the approval process
Connect with your utility to discuss potential charging infrastructure upgrades and start your interconnection process.
What We’ve Learned
Throughout Our Journey
People want to help. You are not alone in the journey toward environmental sustainability. Countless environmentalists, dedicated government officials, and supportive non-profits stand ready to help—at no cost to you. While the road ahead may be challenging, remember that your efforts are part of a collective mission.
It’s not easy. Our experience has involved plenty of trial and error, and we recognize that there is still much work to be done. However, together we can navigate this journey and make a meaningful impact.
We can do this and it’s worth it. Electrification may come with its learning curves and sometimes decisions must be made with limited information. But with perseverance, this change is achievable and essential for ensuring our children inherit a vibrant, healthy planet. Let’s take these steps together and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
What We’re Still
Figuring Out
Which Buses To Use — it’s challenging to identify the “best” bus option to go with. WRI’s market study may be a helpful guide.
Charging Infrastructure - we find infrastructure planning (power capacity, wiring, pavement embedding) to be quite complicated, so we suggest starting small. You don’t need all the answers immediately.
Ranges — range anxiety is very understandable. Our mission is to transport kids safely to and from school, but we can’t do that if we don’t have adequate range capacity. As charging infrastructure expands and battery technology improves, these challenges will pose less of a threat, but for now we recommend putting electric buses on your shortest routes and going from there.
Workforce Development
& Training
The EV industry is relatively nascent. We’re still identifying the best ways to train our teams to prepare for electrification, but have identified three key groups vital to the process: drivers, mechanics, and dispatch.
Mechanics: Since new buses are under warranty, mechanics primarily need training on how to safely work around electric propulsion systems rather than repairing them. Bus manufacturers offer training, ASE has established standards, and more training programs are emerging at colleges and technical schools.
Drivers: Electric buses operate similarly to traditional ones, so minimal additional training is needed. We try to emphasize these 7 points:
Starting the bus and reading the instrument panel
Using power modes and understanding acceleration
Taking advantage of regenerative braking
Monitoring range
Being aware of how quiet the bus is to pedestrians and cyclists
Using chargers correctly
Emergency procedures—shutting down the bus and informing first responders
Dispatch and other personnel: Everyone needs to know how to identify an electric bus, how to monitor the vehicles remotely, what to do about towing, how to plan for range and what to do in emergencies.
Paying for
Electrification
EPA grant programs are available, information is here. Remember, you’ll need a sam.gov ID to apply.
Federal tax credits from the US Treasury are available for private companies and as cash grants to governments and school districts for electric bus, and other energy conservation measures.
States also have grant programs. We are in NY where there are two. Those run by NYSERDA and from utilities to pay for upgrades to electric service. WRI can help you find your state programs, take a look at the link to their clearinghouse above.
You can also buy electric busing as a service; there are companies who will just do the electric for you. Those companies make a profit, but in return they take a lot of headaches away.
While there are upfront costs, these buses are more advanced and data is showing that electric buses can be less costly to fuel and maintain.
Let’s Electrify the Future Together
Electrifying school transportation is a challenge, but one worth taking on. Whether you’re just starting or deep into planning, there are resources, partners, and funding available to help you succeed.
Let’s move forward together—reach out, learn, and take action!
Helpful organizations:
CALSTART’s Electric School Bus Network joins operators and experts learn about market trends, hear updates on funding, and share experience between peers
The Environmental Protection Agency is taking the lead nationally on funding and support with a dedicated clean school bus program.
NYSERDA is the lead agency in NY, with a wealth of resources ranging from how to get started and tools & resources. You can also email them at schoolbus@nyserda.ny.gov.