Note: Photo above is for illustrative purposes only.
Thanks to an innovative partnership between Con Edison and First Student—North America’s largest school transportation provider—12 electric school buses will soon take students to class in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The initiative, supported by a $9 million investment by Con Edison, enables the schools to replace diesel-fueled buses with electric buses that produce zero emissions, reduce air pollution, and provide cost savings on fuel and maintenance.
Four of the electric buses are now operational, and the full fleet of 12 buses will be on the road the first day of school in 2025. The buses will be charged using smart energy management software, which will provide further cost savings by optimizing when the buses are charged.
“New York’s children and families deserve clean air, which is why we are proud to partner with First Student to launch more electric school buses on our streets,” said Con Edison Director of E-Mobility Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud. “Con Edison will continue to make critical investments in clean energy so that every New Yorker can have a higher quality of life and thrive in communities free from the harmful impacts of pollution.”
“This project showcases the innovative potential of electrification in urban areas like Brooklyn, where space is limited, and the demand for clean energy is high," said First Student CEO and President John Kenning.
"By combining solar power with electric school buses and our advanced First Charge solution, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating a smart energy hub that supports the local grid and enhances community resilience. This demonstration project paves the way for sustainable transportation solutions that can be replicated in cities across the country, all while providing students with a cleaner, quieter, and safer ride to school.”
The electrification of school buses and other medium- and heavy-duty fleets is consistent with Con Edison’s Clean Energy Commitment and advances New York State’s clean energy goals, including the electrification of all school bus fleets by 2035.
Electric buses improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also saving school districts money and creating clean energy manufacturing jobs and quieter communities.
The roof of each bus will be fitted with solar panels. In addition, First Student will charge the buses at a depot with power from a 500-kilowatt solar array and 2-megawatt battery installation.
The project will provide Con Edison with valuable information as the company prepares its grid for the coming influx of electric vehicles, including medium- and heavy-duty truck and bus fleets.
Learn more about the project on Con Edison’s website and learn more about First Student’s charging solution on its First Charge website.
To learn more about the benefits of electric school buses, listen to the Electric Perspectives Podcast episode “All Aboard: Supporting the Transition to Electric School Buses.”
