Flint schools to receive grant funding for 10 electric school buses
FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) - Flint Community Schools (FCS) will receive 10 new electric school buses, funded by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA awarded over $39 million to a transportation company, First Student Inc., to bring more than 100 electric buses to the Midwest.
“Switching from traditional gas-powered buses to electric school buses (ESBs) is a monumental stride in our journey towards a greener future,” FCS said. “Electric buses offer a multitude of benefits, including improved air quality, reduced environmental impact, and potential contributions to grid resiliency through innovative vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-building technologies.”
FCS said First Student employs advanced route modeling to determine the optimal bus battery size and charger specifications, which will make certain the transition to ESBs doesn’t impact current bus routes.
FCS said the following factors make this the best time for the school district to transition to ESBs:
- Michigan’s mandate for all school buses to be electric by 2030.
- Depletion of federal funding for traditional buses
- Decreasing availability of make-ready programs from utilities
- Widespread adoption of electric buses beyond political boundaries
- Increasing diesel prices and diminishing diesel engine availability
“Flint Community Schools is excited to elevate environmental stewardship, promote cleaner transportation, and contribute to a brighter future for our scholars and the community,” FCS said.
Other schools in mid-Michigan that have secured grants for ESBs are Chesaning, Beecher, and Mayville.
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