Guest column: Moms and school districts agree that electric buses ensure safe transportation for kids
Authors: Casey Ungs and Sara Kuntzler
As we conclude another school year, it’s a moment to reflect on what we cherish about our schools and identify areas for improvement. One crucial concern for both parents and school districts is the safe transportation of children.
While parents appreciate the effort districts make to transport kids daily, they worry about the diesel fumes children inhale on diesel buses or while playing near idling buses. For school administrators, the challenge lies in balancing quality education with budget constraints. A solution that meets everyone’s needs is electric school buses.
Recently, four Colorado school districts received funding for 39 new electric school buses through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. This includes 21 buses for Adams 14 School District, serving communities facing significant environmental pollution, and 10 for Pueblo 70 School District. Additionally, the Colorado Clean School Bus Program awarded nearly 70 electric buses to 13 districts last September. This shift toward clean fleets ensures cleaner air for bus riders, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves on fuel and maintenance costs.
Diesel exhaust, identified as a probable human carcinogen, is highly concentrated inside school buses, posing risks of asthma and other respiratory issues for children and bus drivers. Electric buses eliminate these harmful emissions, reducing both greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that cause respiratory and cardiovascular ailments. Electric buses generate only a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions compared to propane and less than a third compared to diesel and compressed natural gas, making them healthier for our children and beneficial for their academic performance by reducing missed school days and cognitive impairments.
The economic advantages are also significant for budget-strapped school districts. Despite the higher upfront cost, the lower total cost of ownership — thanks to fuel and maintenance savings — means that districts can recoup purchase costs within five years. These savings can be redirected to classrooms. For instance, Steamboat Springs School District estimates a 40% reduction in diesel fuel costs, with electric buses costing $0.26 per mile compared to $0.58 per mile for diesel buses.
Electric buses also have the potential to provide power back to buildings and the grid (vehicle-to-grid or V2G), generating additional revenue. Multiple programs, including the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, IRS tax credits and Colorado’s rebate program, are available to reduce upfront costs. As domestic manufacturing scales up, costs are expected to decrease further.
Concerns about the performance of electric buses in cold weather or mountainous terrain are being addressed. Steamboat Springs, a rural district with challenging conditions, reports that their electric bus performs as well as diesel buses. Technologies like Blue Bird’s thermal management system and pre-warming the bus while plugged in help maintain performance in extreme temperatures. Steamboat Springs has successfully operated an electric bus for two years, and recently expanded its fleet with additional buses through state and federal grants.
For districts planning to electrify their fleets, early engagement with utility companies and training for drivers and mechanics are essential steps. These measures ensure the safe and effective operation of electric buses, maximizing their benefits.
Now is the time for school districts to transition to electric buses, improving air quality for drivers, children and communities. The financial savings and health benefits make this a win-win for everyone. Let’s prioritize our children’s health and our community’s future by embracing electric school buses.
Casey Ungs is the transportation director for the Steamboat Springs School District. Sara Kuntzler is the Colorado program manager for Mountain Mamas.
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