Replacing diesel school buses with electric ones could save money and lives
Switching from diesel to electric school buses in the U.S. could significantly reduce health risks and environmental damage, according to a new study.
Erin Blakemore reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The study quantifies the benefits of replacing diesel buses with electric ones in terms of health and climate, estimating a per-bus savings of $84,200.
- Benefits are highest in metropolitan areas, where pollution impacts more people, with potential savings reaching $247,600 per bus.
- Despite the higher initial cost of electric buses, the long-term benefits, especially for marginalized communities, outweigh these costs.
Key quote:
“In a dense urban setting where old diesel buses still comprise most school bus fleets, the savings incurred from electrifying these buses outweigh the costs of replacement.”
— Kari Nadeau, professor of climate and population studies and environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Why this matters:
Switching to electric school buses can dramatically reduce air pollution, benefiting public health and the environment. The greatest improvements would be seen in urban and low-income areas, where diesel pollution poses the highest risks.
