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energy.gov   |   transportation.gov

Webinar: Overview for Electric School Bus Operators

April 10, 2024

Text version

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) hosted the first in a four-part series of webinars providing operators, technicians, and other school bus fleet members with a fundamental understanding of electric school bus technology on April 10, 2024. Presenters demonstrated basics on electric buses, standard operations, controls, and driving, and charging procedures and infrastructure.

  • Panelists included:

  • Albert Burleigh, Blue Bird Corporation

  • Brandon Reid, Lion Electric

  • Mark Richardson, Thomas Bus/Daimler Truck

  • Ryan Frasier, Joint Office moderator

  • Maurice Beard, ITLC moderator

Key Takeaways

  • Benefits of Electric School Bus: zero emissions, reduced maintenance costs, quiet operation, grant funds available, outstanding performance, vehicle to grid technology.

  • 32% of school districts in the U.S. have state or local level directives to begin their transition to electric school buses as of November 2023

  • EPA Clean School Bus Funding Rebates can be used to purchase Charging Infrastructure in addition to an EV school bus

  • By modulating the accelerator pedal, a driver can effectively slow the bus down without touching the brake pedal. Regenerative braking can elongate the service life of braking systems if the system is maintained correctly.

  • Follow the five-step charging procedure to ensure safe charging.

Resources