Four Massachusetts school districts are splitting a total of $1.4 million for each to purchase an electric school bus and a charging station as part of a state pilot program.
The Commonwealth’s Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said the intent of the Vehicle-to-Grid Electric School Bus pilot program is “to demonstrate that electric drive technology can help reduce emissions in the transportation sector that has traditionally been dependent on petroleum fuel and demonstrate how school buses can provide electric storage for the grid.”
The Vermont Energy Investment Center is administering this first-of-its-kind project.
Amherst Public Schools is one of the four districts receiving the grants from the Department of Energy Resources to purchase a Type C conventional electric and charger. The other districts receiving an electric bus are Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, Cambridge Public Schools and Concord Public Schools.
Bill Glucksman, fleet manager for Amherst, said the initial plan is to operate the electric bus on a regular school route, with demonstrations among our schools within the district.
“I’m sure we would make it available to any other school district that may have interest in this vehicle and wish to come to our location to learn more,” he said.
Amherst separately test drove an eLion conventional from Lion Bus earlier this year. The feedback from both drivers and technicians, Gluckman reported, has been positive so far.
“The bus is very quiet, and seems to have more than enough power,” he said, adding that the maintenance requirements are few, especially the regenerative braking, as it works well, reducing the need for replacement, since “very little braking is required of the service brakes.”
Gluckman further added that RFPs for the new bus orders are expected to be published soon with actual delivery later this fall.
