electric school buses
Credit: Damian Carr/Unsplash
Electric school buses in Oakland will help stabilize the grid
Startup Zum has launched the U.S.'s largest all-electric school-bus fleet in Oakland, using these buses as grid-supporting batteries to improve both transportation and energy reliability.
In short:
- Zum deployed 74 electric school buses in Oakland, aiming to cut harmful emissions and reduce air pollution.
- The buses use vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology to charge during off-peak hours and discharge power when the grid is stressed.
- Federal and state incentives helped fund the project, but only 2% of U.S. school buses are electric.
Key quote:
"PG&E was able to step up to the challenge and deliver the energy to power these buses — and we were able to do it a year early."
— Patti Poppe, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric
Why this matters:
Electric school buses reduce emissions and can support the grid when demand spikes, lowering reliance on fossil fuels. However, expanding this model faces hurdles due to high costs and limited infrastructure.
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Credit: Denise McQuillen/Pixabay
School bus factory workers in Georgia demonstrate potential for EV-driven union gains
Workers at the Blue Bird school bus factory in Georgia have shown that unionizing for better conditions is possible, even in the traditionally anti-union South, amid a push for electric vehicle production.
In short:
- The Blue Bird factory, receiving federal funds to produce electric school buses, successfully unionized with the United Steelworkers in May 2023.
- The union negotiated a contract providing significant wage increases, new retirement benefits, and a profit-sharing plan.
- This union win highlights how federal green investments can also support labor movements.
Key quote:
"There was unfairness, favoritism, workload... Lord, we worked sometimes six and seven days a week, and people needed to go home and see their families sometimes."
— Carolyn Allen, Blue Bird worker and union representative
Why this matters:
As the U.S. transitions to greener technologies, ensuring fair labor practices and good working conditions is essential. The success at Blue Bird suggests that environmental and labor goals can align, benefiting both workers and the climate.
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Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash
How your child's school bus might prevent blackouts
When not driving around, electric buses and other vehicles could help utilities by storing their solar and wind energy and releasing it to meet surges in demand.
Newsletter
Photo by Austin Pacheco on Unsplash
Electric school buses: Why the propane industry is after school buses ditching diesel
Electric school buses are better for kids’ health. The propane industry has other ideas.
Newsletter
Photo by Austin Pacheco on Unsplash
Boston to replace school buses with electric ones by 2030
Boston plans to replace its entire fleet of more than 700 school buses with electric vehicles by 2030, starting with 20 buses that will be taking kids to school some time during the next school year, Mayor Michelle Wu says.
Hartford Distributors
Climate change and transportation legislation is back in Connecticut, without the TCI part
Senate Bill 4, a comprehensive climate and transportation bill, would start several large clean transportation programs.
www.nytimes.com
Making yellow school buses a little more green
Some school districts are replacing diesel buses with electric models to benefit students and the environment. But the change is expensive so utilities like Dominion Energy are helping offset the cost.
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