Overview:
You should begin by building your core project team, establishing goals and a vision for fleet electrification, discussing ways your project can center equity, and developing a base understanding of electric school bus technology and the market landscape.
Minimally the team should consist of the transportation director and/or fleet manager, the facilities and/or energy manager, an electrician or electrical contractor and the district’s electric utility account manager.
A school district’s goals for electrification will shape many of the decisions throughout the process. Example goals may include a desire to improve children’s and drivers’ health, potential fuel or maintenance cost savings, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, a city or state mandate and others.
Things to do:
- Identify core project team members and their roles
- Schedule regular project team meetings
- Discuss school district goals and priorities
- Consider ways to center equity in your project
- Educate project team on electric school bus and charging technologies
- Assess market conditions and technology options
Questions to consider:
- Why is your district interested in electric school buses? What are your district’s project priorities?
- How can electric school buses address inequities in your community?
- What is your target date to have the first electric school buses in place? How does this fit into fleet turnover plans, timelines and budgeting?
- Do you have buy-in from district leadership?
- What experience does your staff already have and what knowledge do they require?
- Do you have internal capacity to manage the fleet electrification process, or will you need to hire a project manager or consultant?
- Do you directly operate your buses or partner with a contractor?
- Are there peer school districts that you can reach out to and learn from?
Potential stakeholders:
- District transportation director
- District fleet manager
- District facility manager
- District energy manager
- District superintendent
- School bus contractor (if applicable)
Resources:
- Electric School Bus Evidence Hub – WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: Learn about the benefits of transitioning to electric school buses through our evidence hub.
- The Electric School Bus Series – WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: View stories and case studies from school districts that have gone electric.
- The Transition to Electric School Buses Must Center Equity. Here’s Why. – WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: Learn how electric school buses can contribute to community equity outcomes.
- Electric School Bus U.S. Market Study and Buyer's Guide – WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: This comprehensive guide offers an overview of the electric school bus market and a catalog of available bus models with detailed vehicle specifications.
- Electric School Bus Charging 101 – VEIC: A 3-page cheat sheet for electric school bus charging.
- Flipping the Switch on Electric School Buses video series – US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center: This series of short videos covers a breadth of electric school bus topics in an accessible way with links to resources and fact sheets.