Step 4.1: Train Drivers, Maintenance Workers and First Responders

Overview

A thoughtful and comprehensive training program is essential to the success of bus deployment and equitable implementation. Successful electric school bus deployment will in part depend on having well-trained drivers, maintenance workers, dispatch and potentially some transportation and front office staff on the basics of electric school buses. 

Driver training is particularly important, since technique can play a large role in the range and performance of an electric school bus. Some districts have had success running competitions amongst drivers to promote efficient driving practices. 

The powertrain of an electric school bus is very different than a fossil fuel-burning school bus and is anticipated to require less maintenance, which can impact school district maintenance workers by requiring fewer staff to maintain a similarly sized fleet. To ensure the transition to electric school buses prioritizes workers and workplace safety, school districts must work with maintenance workers and their unions to ensure they are receiving needed training and support. Many dealers will include high voltage repairs in the warranty so planning for downtime required for towing and external repairs at a dealership is important.

Finally, it is important that first responders are trained on best practices in case of emergency. Some important topics for first responder training include: how to know which school buses in the fleet are electric; battery configurations and manual disconnect switch locations on the school buses; and the procedures needed to suppress battery fires, which differ from internal combustion engine fires.  

Things to do:

• Obtain bus safety and recommended maintenance documents from manufacturer or dealer
• Train drivers on instrument clusters, regenerative braking, emergency high-voltage shutoff, charging and other key procedures
• Train maintenance workers on new electric components (e.g., electrically driven heating/cooling and power steering, volt meters, traction motors), preventative maintenance and schedules, diagnostics and proper high-voltage shutoff procedures.
• Train drivers and bus monitors on evacuation of passengers with disabilities during breakdowns or emergency events
• Educate towing companies on options for transport and battery disconnect
• Train first responders on electric school bus safety protocols and how to respond to emergency events

Ways to include equity:

• Engage school bus drivers, monitors, maintenance workers and students on the use of all accessibility features
• Engage school bus workers and their unions to share electrification plans and assess and gather input on training needs
• Develop a comprehensive, inclusive training program for all maintenance staff that covers electrical panel handling, accessibility features, high-voltage safety, advanced maintenance, and a train-the-trainer model for leadership growth
• Monitor and adapt to changing maintenance needs; if maintenance requirements decrease, explore opportunities for staff to transition to other roles
• Collaborate with other local fleets and partners like Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions to train first responders

Questions to consider:

• Who needs to be trained? What level of training will they require? Are your trainings accessible?
• How comprehensive is the training provided by your bus manufacturer, dealer or contractor? Do you need to include extra training in your contract that goes beyond this?
• Do you need to periodically schedule trainings over time? Could a train-the-trainer approach work for the school district?
• What safety protocols need to be established for trainings?
• How will maintenance needs shift with electric school buses? What trainings will maintenance workers need?
• How can electric school bus trainings support workers within the school district and broader community?
• What elements of maintenance are the responsibility of the district vs. the manufacturer/dealer? What types of maintenance are district mechanics permitted to perform by the manufacturer/dealer and under warranty?
• Are there opportunities to hold a first responder training with other transit or municipal fleets? If there are other electric school buses or electric vehicle fleets in your region, can this training be coordinated?

Potential stakeholders:

• District transportation director
• District fleet manager
• District dispatch staff
• Manufacturers/dealers/as-a-service companies
• School bus contractor (if applicable)
• Drivers and associated union representatives
• Maintenance workers and associated union representatives
• First responders
• Students and parents
• Other electric vehicle fleets in your local area (to coordinate first responder training)
• Organizations with expertise in transportation electrification, such as Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions

Resources:

• Electric School Bus Training Standards — WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: These industry-first standards define learning objectives and outcomes for people interacting with electric school buses. They can guide the development of training curricula and content.
• Reskilling the Workforce: Training Needs for Electric School Bus Operators and Maintenance Technicians — WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: This article highlights learnings from a working group designed to help manufacturers, school bus operators, as well as curriculum providers with their reskilling efforts.
• Prioritizing Workers in the Transition to Electric School Buses — WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: This article provides an overview of the role that different stakeholders play in workforce development to support school bus electrification.
• Electric School Bus Technician Training Database — WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative: This dataset contains a list of publicly available electric vehicle technician training programs in the United States to help technicians find opportunities to develop their skills.
• Driver and Technician Training — US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center: This 20-minute video goes through key elements of training needed for the different individuals who will interact with your electric school bus.
• Driving the Future: How to Electrify our School Buses and Center Kids, Communities, and Workers in the Transition — Jobs to Move America: This report details pressing equity questions for advocates, school district officials and policymakers who want to understand the transition to electric school buses fully.
• Electric School Bus Training Connections — Virginia Clean Cities: This series of 2–4-minute videos covers topics like getting to know your instrument cluster and best practices for driving an electric school bus.