Cooperative Living January 2021 - 27

CloserLook | by Maria Kanevsky, Contributing Columnist
Electrified Fleets
The new technology isn't your
grandfather's school bus
illions of Americans depend on public
bus transportation every day. Whether
you're an adult on your way to work or
a child going to school, you can rely on a bus to
take you where you need to go.
Most buses in America are powered by diesel
fuel, which produces harmful exhaust fumes and
emissions that contribute to climate change.
Electric buses are an emerging technology that
can help address some of the issues caused by
diesel-powered buses, while still providing the
same quality of transportation to many Americans.
CHOICES, CHOICES
There are two main applications for electric bus fleets:
school buses and public transit. For each application, three
types of electric bus technologies can be used: hybrid-electric
buses, fuel-cell electric buses and battery-electric buses.
A hybrid-electric bus uses both an electric motor and a
gasoline engine that work to power the bus. Regenerative
braking generates electricity to charge a battery connected
to the electric motor, which lessens the need for gasoline.
Fuel-cell electric buses contain hydrogen fuel cells, which
need to be refueled with hydrogen to charge the battery.
A battery-electric bus is plugged directly into the grid to
charge the battery that fully powers the bus.
WHICH IS BEST?
Each of these technologies has pros and cons. Hybridelectric
buses are the easiest transition since they are closest
to traditional diesel-powered buses. However, hybrid-electric
buses are heavier than traditional buses since they carry both
an electric motor and a gasoline engine. That can reduce
passenger vehicle capacity.
Fuel-cell electric buses have no tailpipe emissions and
New charging infrastructure will
be crucial to support increased
use of electric buses.
M
California leads the transition with a goal of replacing
all of the state's school buses with electric buses by 2040,
a total of 30,000 buses.
hydrogen is a renewable resource. But they cost more than
any other electric bus technology type.
Battery-electric buses have no tailpipe emissions, are the
most energy efficient and have low operating costs. However,
they have a more limited driving range than the others.
With lower fuel maintenance costs, school districts and
transit agencies can save money over time by switching to
electric buses. Cutting diesel emissions improves overall
public health by making the air cleaner for the surrounding
community or school.
HURDLES TO OVERCOME
Cost is the main barrier for any type of electric bus
technology. For example, battery-electric school buses can cost
up to $200,000 more than a comparably sized diesel school
bus. Without outside financial support, a transit agency or
school district could have a hard time justifying the expense.
Additionally, new charging infrastructure to keep the buses
on the road will add to the overall cost.
Several areas of the country, like Seattle and Los Angeles,
are making commitments to electrify their bus transit fleets
in the next 20 years or so. Electric school bus programs are
in progress in a few states such as Virginia, Maryland and
Minnesota, though California leads the transition with a goal
of replacing all of the state's school buses with electric buses
by 2040, a total of 30,000 buses.
Many pilot projects show that
electric buses can provide cost-effective
and clean transportation to Americans,
although there will be challenges along
the way. While electrified fleets aren't
mainstream yet, one thing is clear:
Partnerships between utilities, transit
agencies and school districts will be
crucial for success. 
Maria Kanevsky is a program analyst
for the National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association.
co-opliving.com
January 2021 | Cooperative Living | 25
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Cooperative Living January 2021

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