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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Electric School Bus Education

These educational webinars and handouts provide information about the benefits of electric school buses and examples of their use. Explore the resources in this series called "Flipping the Switch on Electric School Buses" through these topics:

To suggest additional information and resources, email CleanSchoolBusTA@nrel.gov.

Find a step-by-step guide to the school bus electrification process in the Electric School Bus Planning Guide.

Electric School Bus Introduction

This technical assistance video series is for K-12 school districts interested in implementing electric school buses. The series kicks off with an introduction to Clean Cities and Communities and a discussion about how local coalitions can provide education and technical assistance throughout the implementation process, as well as an introduction to electric school buses, key decision factors, charging infrastructure, and vehicle availability.

Webinars

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Clean Cities and Communities and Technical Assistance

This module introduces Clean Cities and Communities and discusses how coalitions can assist school districts in learning about electric school buses and connect districts and their fleets with technical assistance.

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Electric Bus Basics and Key Challenges

This module introduces electric school buses themselves, key benefits and challenges, the basics of charging infrastructure, and vehicle availability.

Handouts

Part 1: Electric School Bus Introduction Part 1: Electric School Bus Introduction

Working with Electric Utilities

Part 2 of this series focuses on working with electric utilities. The video modules and associated handout provide guidance on starting the conversation with your utility and information on assessing your power needs for future charging infrastructure and understanding the various utility rate structures.

Webinars

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Working with Your Utility Partner and Assessing Power Needs

This module discusses how to work with your utility and incorporate power need considerations into your plan.

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Utility Rate Structures

This module discusses utility rate structures and how EV charging can impact your monthly bill.

Handouts

Part 2: Working with Electric Utilities Part 2: Working with Electric Utilities

Vehicle Requirements

Part 3 of this series focuses on vehicle requirements. The video modules and associated handout provide guidance about currently available electric school bus vehicle models and vehicle cost factors; how to analyze your vehicle routes to determine if electric is a good option for your fleet; vehicle range and efficiency considerations; and information on incentives, battery life, and other considerations like battery recycling.

Webinars

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Vehicle Models and Cost Factors

This module discusses information on currently available electric school bus vehicle models and vehicle cost factors.

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Route Analysis, Range, and Efficiency Considerations

This module discusses how to analyze your vehicle routes to determine if electric is a good option for your fleet, vehicle range, and efficiency considerations.

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Incentives, Battery Life, and Other Considerations

This module discusses incentives to help offset up-front costs, battery life, and other considerations like battery recycling.

Handouts

Part 3: Vehicle Requirements Part 3: Vehicle Requirements

Charging Infrastructure

Part 4 of this series focuses on charging infrastructure. The video modules and associated handout provide information about determining charging needs, selecting a charger, and important charging infrastructure installation considerations.

Webinars

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Determining Charging Needs and Selecting a Charger

This module discusses how to determine charging needs and how to select a charger.

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Installation Considerations

This module discusses charging infrastructure installation considerations.

Handouts

Part 4: Charging Infrastructure Part 4: Charging Infrastructure

Infrastructure Planning and Solutions

Part 5 of this series focuses on charging infrastructure planning and solutions. The video modules and associated handout provide information on interconnection challenges and solutions, as well as an overview of vehicle-to-grid (V2G), including addressing the barriers and opportunities associated with this technology.

Webinars

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Interconnection Challenges and Solutions

This module discusses electric school bus charging infrastructure interconnection challenges and solutions, including utility structure, grid and facility considerations, and possible interconnection solutions.

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V2G Overview, Barriers, and Opportunities

This module discusses electric school buses with an overview of vehicle-to-grid barriers and opportunities.

Handouts

Part 5: Infrastructure Planning and Solutions Part 5: Infrastructure Planning and Solutions

Vehicle In Use Performance

Part 6 of this series focuses on vehicle in use performance. The video modules and associated handout provide information on how to track electric school bus performance and why it is important to do so, as well as electric school bus energy use and fuel economy, and information on electric school bus range and reliability.

Webinars

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Tracking Performance

This module discusses how to track electric school bus performance and why it is important to do so.

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Energy Use and Fuel Economy

This module discusses electric school bus energy use and fuel economy.

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Range and Reliability

This module discusses electric school bus range and reliability.

Handouts

Part 6: Vehicle In Use Performance Part 6: Vehicle In Use Performance

Driver and Technician Training

Part 7 of this series focuses on a training overview. The video module and associated handout provide information on how to provide driver and technician training on electric school buses.

Webinars

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Training Overview

This module discusses electric school bus driver and technician training, including why training is important and the four basic levels of training.

Handouts

Part 7: Driver and Technician Training Part 7: Driver and Technician Training

Cost Factors

Part 8 of this series focuses on electric school bus cost factors. The video modules and associated handout provide information on bus capital and infrastructure costs, operational and maintenance costs, incentives and financing options, and how to have financing discussions.

Webinars

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Bus Capital Costs and Infrastructure Costs

This module discusses bus capital costs and infrastructure costs.

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Operational Costs

This module discusses electric school bus operational costs.

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Maintenance Costs

This module discusses electric school bus maintenance costs.

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Incentives and Financing Options

This module discusses electric school bus incentives and financing options.

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Financing Discussions

This module discusses how to have financing discussions.

Handouts

Part 8: Cost Factors Part 8: Cost Factors

More Resources


Clean School Bus Program: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $5 billion over 5 years for clean school buses, including electric and alternative fuel buses. Each year, $500 million will be provided exclusively for EV buses and $500 million for EV and other cleaner alternative fuel buses.

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation: The BIL also provides up to $300 million for a new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide and coordinate technical assistance to states and communities.

Clean School Bus Technical Assistance: In partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Joint Office is offering technical assistance on a wide range of clean school bus deployment topics, including electric bus basics, charging equipment, utility connections, bus performance, and operational considerations like routing and maintenance.