SD79 has procured two electric school buses at the cost of $200,000.00. The district will pay out this loan, acquired in June 2023 over ten years. Will the batteries have that long of a life? One can only wonder.
Other school districts have made these purchases across the country, however, Canada is well behind the US in electric bus purchases. Hopefully, this large purchase by SD79 does not end up meeting some of the many issues being experienced in the U.S.
One notable example is the Bethlehem Central School District, which saw one of its electric buses become disabled due to a pothole on Interstate 787. This incident, which fortunately resulted in no injuries, was compounded by recalls affecting five of the district’s seven electric buses. The recalls, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, addressed issues such as loose body joints and power cables that could cause sudden power loss.
Bethlehem is not alone in facing difficulties. In Winthrop, Maine, a driver experienced a sudden loss of power steering and brakes, resulting in the bus needing to be stopped in a snowbank. Other regions, including Asheville, N.C., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Philadelphia, have also reported problems. Philadelphia’s fleet of 25 electric buses, which debuted during the 2019 Democratic presidential convention, remains sidelined due to mechanical failures and lack of replacement parts.
Mechanical reliability is another significant concern. The failure rate for electric buses is reported to be around 20%, compared to just 1-2% for diesel buses. This means that out of a fleet of 100, approximately 20 electric buses might be inoperable at any given time. David Christopher, executive director of the New York State Association for Pupil Transportation, acknowledges the benefits of emissions-free buses but questions whether the ambitious timeline in his area is realistic given current technology and costs.
Training staff to maintain electric buses poses yet another challenge. The complexity of these vehicles necessitates specialized skills that many districts have yet to develop. Sen. Borrello has proposed pilot programs to better assess the performance of electric buses in various environments before fully committing to large-scale implementation.
In addition to mechanical and training hurdles, infrastructure costs are also a concern. Charging stations and potential power grid enhancements represent significant expenses. For instance, the Shenendehowa district in Clifton Park may need a new substation to support charging for its fleet of over 200 buses.
While districts like Bethlehem continue to work within the state’s clean energy mandates, school officials stress the importance of voter support. In some areas, voters have already shown reluctance. Last year, voters in Marathon, Cortland County, and Boonville, Oneida County, rejected proposals for electric bus purchases despite available grants that would have offset costs. Similarly, Onteora school district declined an $8.5 million EPA grant, citing uncertainties surrounding charging infrastructure.
As districts navigate the complexities of adoption, they must weigh the benefits of clean energy against the realities of cost, maintenance, and reliability.
