Tuesday 19 April 2022

California School District doubles all-electric bus fleet

The Orange Unified School District (OUSD) in California has placed an order for eight additional all-electric school buses from Blue Bird Corporation.

The latest order for the Blue Bird All American Type D electric school buses more than doubles the size of the school's zero-emission bus fleet.

OUSD started the transition to electric school buses in 2021, with the new order expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Blue Bird claims its customers reported fuel costs of up to 49 cents per mile for their diesel buses, compared to an average of 14 cents per mile in energy costs for electric buses.

It estimates the school district could save more than $120,000 (£92,223) a year in fuel costs alone by operating its EV fleet.

OUSD Director of Transportation Christina Celeste-Russo said: “The price of diesel fuel continues to rise sharply. With the purchase of Blue Bird electric school buses, Orange Unified School District is taking active steps to reduce our fossil fuel dependency, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve community health.

“Orange Unified School District is leading the way to sustainable student transportation.”