An electric repower—sometimes referred to as an electric conversion or retrofit—involves removing a vehicle’s internal combustion engine, which burns a fossil fuel like diesel, and replacing it with an electric drive system, transforming the vehicle to one that is fully battery-electric with no tailpipe emissions.
Emmett Werthmann, an associate with the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Electric School Bus Initiative, highlights a compelling financial rationale for repowering diesel school buses with battery electric drive systems compared with new electric bus purchases. Repowers can be a cost-competitive alternative for fleet operators who cannot afford new electric buses.
Currently, most repowered school buses are operational in New York State, which has included repowers in its funding eligibility criteria for the New York School Bus Incentive Program. In New Jersey, repowers are not yet included in funding programs and Werthmann points out that “if a district can secure a free or heavily subsidized new electric bus" and no funding is available for repowers, fleets will be much less likely to incorporate repowers into their electrification strategy.
Beyond incentive challenges, many school districts remain unaware that repowering is a viable option. Werthmann notes that in the U.S., new vehicle purchases are often the default option. Repowering presents a unique opportunity to take advantage of existing buses in a fleet with plenty of years in operation and complement new bus purchases to make the transition to electric more cost-effective.
WRI shares the success story of Logan Bus Company, a New York City school bus fleet operator now running up to five repowered buses, partly funded by the state’s Truck Voucher Incentive Program.
These buses, after passing rigorous reinspection by the New York State Department of Transportation, may be one-third the cost of new electric buses. Logan Bus has operated these repowered buses for an average of over two years, with Corey Muirhead, Executive Vice President, expressing satisfaction with their performance. These buses offer a range of 150 miles, exceeding daily needs and easily extendable with additional charges.
"Maintenance-wise, if it passes DOT inspections, looks good, and meets NHTSA safety standards, why worry about the body age? My priority is getting that diesel engine off the road," Muirhead stated to WRI.
Resources:
- Logan Bus’ Repower Story: https://shorturl.at/GWdOT
- All About Electric School Bus Repowers: https://electricschoolbusinitiative.org/all-about-electric-school-bus-repowers