MCLEAN, Va. — The Copper Development Association (CDA) saluted a new initiative on August 30 from Dominion Energy that will help local school districts replace diesel school buses with electric buses. Dominion Energy’s program will support 50 school buses at first and will add 200 buses per year for the next five years.
“We are excited to see more utility companies partnering with school districts to provide transportation options that are safer for our children and better for our environment,” said Zolaikha Strong, director of energy policy and electrical markets at CDA. “CDA supports policies and initiatives aimed at providing funding, training and infrastructure to support clean transportation options throughout the U.S.”
Transportation is the number one source of carbon emissions. One electric school bus reduces CO2 emissions by 54,000 pounds each year. Air quality inside electric school buses is also six times better than nonelectric models.
As CDA’s recently released infographic highlights, electric vehicles, including school buses, rely on copper for the motor coil that drives the engine, plus the cabling that is used in charging stations.
