Why Outdated Diesel School Buses Are Failing Our Kids

• Electric school buses can significantly reduce harmful emissions, lowering the risk of asthma and respiratory issues in children.
• The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over five years to help schools transition from diesel to electric buses.
• GreenPower’s Nano BEAST offers a 118 kWh battery with up to 140 miles of range, dual port charging, and advanced safety features.

Let’s be clear, diesel school buses are outdated. They’re loud, polluting, and harmful to both our kids’ health and the environment. If we want safe, sustainable, and modern transportation for our children, it’s time to switch to electric school buses.

Fortunately, school districts in Arizona are making that transition, with help from the EPA Clean School Bus Program. GreenPower Motor Company has received orders for six electric, zero-emission school buses from its Arizona dealer, RWC Group. These buses will serve three districts: Osborn School District #8, Joseph City School District, and Roosevelt School District No. 66. This is a significant step forward for Arizona and a huge win for the well-being of our children.

For those who still doubt the impact of electric school buses, consider this: research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that replacing diesel buses with electric ones could significantly reduce harmful emissions and save on health care costs.

In fact, the study suggests that electric buses could prevent thousands of cases of asthma and respiratory issues in children nationwide. This is more than just reducing pollution, it’s about keeping our kids safe from the harmful fumes they breathe in every day on their way to and from school. Plus, there are big climate benefits, which matter more than ever as we deal with growing environmental issues.

So why are we still clinging to outdated diesel buses? Because the switch to electric isn’t always cheap or straightforward, especially for cash-strapped school districts. But that’s where initiatives like the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program come in. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program is a lifeline, providing $5 billion over five years to help schools replace their aging bus fleets with zero-emission alternatives.

Recently, the EPA announced an additional $965 million in funding to further accelerate the transition from diesel to electric school buses, supporting efforts to modernize school transportation across the country. That means fewer diesel buses spewing black smoke and more clean, quiet electric school buses in our neighborhoods.

“The GreenPower Type D BEAST and Type A Nano BEAST all-electric school buses are perfectly designed to meet the needs of school districts in Arizona,” says Tom Hartman, General Manager – Bus for RWC Group. “The BEAST that was deployed earlier this year at the Phoenix Elementary School District No. 1 has performed as expected without any issues, getting kids to and from school in a safe, cleaner, and sustainable fashion.”

And in addition to reducing emissions, these electric buses are purpose-built with student safety in mind. The BEAST, for example, features a complete flat-floor design, keeping students out of the crash zone and offering the largest pass-through storage of any school bus on the market.

The Nano BEAST is a top choice for smaller school districts or those with special needs transportation. This award-winning electric school bus is compact and built for performance. With its 118 kWh battery pack and up to 140 miles of electric school bus range, it’s fully capable of handling everyday school routes.

Designed to carry up to 24 passengers, the Nano BEAST features a lightweight yet durable aluminum body crafted from extruded aluminum by Constellium. It comes standard with dual port charging that supports Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW and DC Fast Charging up to 60 kW, and even offers wireless charging as an option.

But the benefits of switching to electric school buses go beyond safety and sustainability. School districts that make the switch are also setting themselves up for long-term financial savings. According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), electric school buses cost less to maintain than their diesel counterparts, thanks to fewer moving parts and the absence of engine oil and transmission fluid. Plus, with electricity prices remaining relatively stable compared to volatile diesel costs, districts can better predict and manage their transportation budgets.

GreenPower President Brendan Riley, a Phoenix resident and parent, summed it up perfectly: “GreenPower’s all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school buses have established the new standard of performance, safety, and sustainability in the school bus market. At GreenPower, we understand the importance of providing safe transportation for school children to and from school and for extracurricular activities and are pleased to manufacture school buses that provide for that ride in a clean, healthy environment.”

The school bus is part of our education system and our community. Our kids deserve a ride that’s safe, reliable, and doesn’t poison the air they breathe. Switching to electric school buses is essential, and more school districts need to follow Arizona’s example and use the available funding and technology to make this change happen.

While programs like the Clean School Bus Program are a fantastic start, they need continued support and expansion to make electric buses the norm, not the exception. We must also push for more robust infrastructure and incentives that make it easier for districts to transition. After all, every child in this country deserves the freedom to breathe clean air on their way to school.

So, if you’re a parent, a teacher, or even just someone who cares about the next generation, ask your local school board: “Why are we still using diesel buses?” Challenge them to explore the benefits of electric school buses, not just for the environment, but for the health and future of our children. Because when it comes to our kids, “good enough” is never enough. They deserve better, and it’s up to us to make sure they get it.

IMAGES: GREENPOWER MOTOR COMPANY

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