AUTO

School District in Pennsylvania Leads the Charge with Electric School Buses from EPA Funding

April 26, 2024

Steelton-Highspire School District is the first in Pennsylvania to adopt electric school buses with EPA funding.
First Student leads the electrification initiative, operating over 330 electric buses and committing to transition 30,000 diesel buses by 2035.
Electric buses at Steelton-Highspire are powered by solar energy, showcasing the district’s sustainability commitment.

This week, the Steelton-Highspire School District in Pennsylvania achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first in the state to introduce electric school buses (ESBs), thanks to support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program. The district, in partnership with First Student, a leading provider of school transportation solutions in North America, celebrated this achievement with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local officials, community members, and industry leaders.

This forward-thinking move will make a real difference for both the environment and public health. Steelton-Highspire is replacing six of its seven buses with First Student’s electric emissions-free buses, a move expected to improve air quality for students and the surrounding community. According to data, replacing just one diesel bus with an electric bus can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54,000 pounds annually.

First Student is taking the lead in electrifying school buses, running more than 330 electric buses across North America. The company has already covered more than 3 million miles of zero-emission service and has committed to transition 30,000 of its diesel buses to electric by 2035. This commitment is backed by the company’s extensive resources and expertise in the electrification process.

Steelton-Highspire School District Unveils Pennsylvania First Electric School Buses with First Student Partnership

“First Student is at the forefront of electrifying America’s school bus fleet because we believe these buses are better for students, schools, communities, and the planet,” said Kevin Matthews, First Student’s Head of Electrification.

“We are the only company in the industry with the necessary resources and expertise to support districts, utilities, and municipalities in not just supplying buses but also creating the essential charging and maintenance infrastructure for electrifying school bus fleets. We are immensely proud to partner with the Steelton-Highspire School District to provide student transportation and thank the Environmental Protection Agency for making this moment possible.”

The new electric school buses at Steelton-Highspire are powered by First Student FlexCharge chargers, with electricity coming from a 1.7-Megawatt solar array on the school’s campus. This solar installation not only powers the electric buses but also provides electricity to every building in the district, further demonstrating the district’s commitment to sustainability.

“Steelton-Highspire is honored to stand alongside First Student at today’s historic event,” said Mick Iskric, Steelton-Highspire Superintendent. “We cannot thank the EPA enough for awarding Clean School Bus Program funding to our district. These buses are a game-changer for both our students and the community as a whole. We are proud to be the first school district in Pennsylvania to introduce buses funded through the EPA’s accelerator program and look forward to continuing to work with First Student to provide our students with safe, reliable, and now clean transportation to and from school.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a ride-along in an electric school bus provided by First Student, offering attendees a firsthand experience of the quiet and smooth operation of electric buses. Among those in attendance were Pennsylvania State Representative Dave Madsen, Highspire Borough Mayor Von Hess, and Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas.