The Electric School Bus Series: School Districts Nationwide Are Switching to Clean Rides for Kids

School District Story

Across the country, school districts are successfully bringing the benefits of electric school buses to their communities. Learn how they’re doing it.

A yellow electric school bus outside on the road in front of mountains.

In communities nationwide, students are taking cleaner rides to school thanks to electric school buses — free of the dangerous pollution of diesel-burning school buses. School districts and other partners are at the forefront of this transition.

School district stories

The best way to learn about the transition to electric school buses is to hear about the experiences of school districts that have done it!

Students and Sipayik Elementary School Administrators in front of one of their electric school buses.

How a Rural, Tribal School Electrified Their School Bus Fleet

By weaving traditional practices together with a new technology, Maine Indian Education is leading the transition to electric school buses in their community.

Electric school buses charging in a school bus depot.

How South Carolina Used Federal Funds to Deliver More Than 2.5 Million Miles of Clean Rides for Kids

South Carolina has the nation’s only centralized statewide school bus fleet. Here’s how that helped the state secure Clean School Bus Program funds for its communities.

A group of about 25 people of various ages stand and smile in front of an electric school bus.

How a Rural North Carolina Electric Cooperative Brought Electric School Buses to Historically Underserved Communities

Roanoke Cooperative is revolutionizing the role of rural electric cooperatives by paving the way for electric school buses in rural North Carolina, delivering benefits to students and community members.

How Steamboat Springs Navigates Mountainous Terrain with Electric School Buses

Steamboat Springs School District proves that electric school buses can thrive in all seasons and terrains while delivering cost savings and environmental benefits.

Fleming County School District’s electric school bus chargers.

How Cost Savings from Electric School Buses Enabled a Rural Kentucky School District to Increase Teacher Pay

Fleming County is saving hundreds of thousands of dollars with its new electric school buses, thanks to federal funding. That money’s going back into the classroom.

Steelton-Highspire leadership with First Student in front of one of Steelton-Highspire's electric school buses.

How a Historic Pennsylvania Steel Town is Pioneering Clean Energy with Electric School Buses

For Steelton-Highspire, putting students first starts with transitioning to clean transportation.

Passengers board an electric school bus during a ride and drive event at Lake Shore Central School District.

How a Western New York School District Energized a Community Around Electric School Buses

In the cold winters near Buffalo, one school district is successfully deploying an electric school bus on its longest route – and saving money!

A group of people stand in front an electric school bus in Williamsfield, Illinois

How Students in a Rural Midwest District Led the Charge to Electrify and Boost Grid Resiliency

In Williamsfield, Illinois a student-led project to improve community resiliency helped the school district electrify its fleet and find tens of thousands of dollars in annual cost savings. Next up: using V2G technology to support community resiliency!

A repowered electric school bus plugged-in and charging at a bus depot.

Repowering the Transition to Electric in New York and Lowering Total Cost of Ownership

Explore how repowered school buses are bringing clean rides to students in New York — and check out our new repower total cost of ownership analysis!

A yellow school bus is parked outside of a school under a blue sky. The school sign reads "Three Rivers High School."

Successfully Operating Electric School Buses in Cold Weather in Three Rivers, Michigan

Electric school buses are successfully operating in all manner of weather and climates – such as Three Rivers, Michigan.

Electric school bus advocates and lawmakers stand in front of a school bus, holding signs that read "Electric Buses 4 Texas"

How Austin's School Board Resolution Created a Path for Cleaner Rides for Kids

Austin ISD is leading the charge as one of a growing number of school districts in the nation with a district-level goal to transition its entire school bus fleet to electric.

An electric school bus for Cajon Valley Union School District

Powering the Grid with Cajon Valley Union School District

Serving over 60 square miles of San Diego’s East County, Cajon Valley educates almost 16,000 students and provides transportation services to around 800 students, about half of whom are students with disabilities.

Electric school buses charge in a parking lot, under a canopy.

How Students in Salt Lake City Helped Advance an Equity Centered Plan for Electric School Buses

SLCSD is embarking on a path to 100% renewable energy use by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2040.

Yellow electric school bus with the words "Cherokee Boys Club Bus Service" written on the side drives on a two-lane road under a blue sky in front of brown mountains.

How North Carolina's Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is Planning for Seven Generations of Sustainability

The EBCI’s longstanding commitment to environmental conservation was foundational for its electric school bus journey.

A picture of a yellow electric school bus, taken from the front. In the background is another school bus and some cars.

Electric School Bus Progress From our Northern Neighbors in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Although PEI is Canada’s smallest province, the school board has undertaken the largest electric school bus effort in Atlantic Canada, which also includes New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

A yellow electric school bus is parked in a bus lot and is plugged in, charging.

WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative interviewed school district staff, superintendents, transportation managers, private fleet operators, electric utilities and other partners to learn firsthand about their experience bringing electric school buses to their students.

Check out the stories above to learn how school districts and partners are delivering clean rides for kids in every type of climate and terrain!