How Electric School Buses Benefit Our Children, Municipalities, and State
Health Benefits
· Children are especially susceptible to the adverse health effects of diesel exhaust pollutants and there is no safe level of exposure for school age children
· Levels of these air pollutants are higher inside school buses than in the ambient air nearby
· When school buses are idling the levels of air pollutants inside the bus are higher than when it is in motion; in addition, children waiting to board idling buses are exposed to high levels of pollution and even higher levels if several buses are in the same immediate area
· The existing fleet of diesel school buses in NJ includes many vehicles that do not meet current clean air standards for diesel exhaust, which were last set in 2007
Environmental Benefits
· Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions of Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate Matter, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Hydrocarbons
· Electric vehicles are environmentally cleaner and safer than other propulsion options such as CNG or electric/diesel hybrids
· Replacing America’s diesel school bus fleets with electric will have a significantly higher impact on overall air quality and global warming than replacing diesel transit buses; one study estimated that school buses emit 5.3 million tons of greenhouse gases each year, compared to 2 million tons for transit buses
· Fuel efficiency for a 40-50 student capacity fully electric school bus is 17 mpg equivalent, compared to 7 mpg for a diesel powered bus and 9 mpg for a hybrid electric
· By taking diesel school buses off the road, pollution from leaking fuel tanks, both from the buses and depot storage, will be eliminated
· The use of renewable energy sources (i.e. solar or wind) to power electric vehicles will further reduce pollution from utility owned power plants that burn fossil fuel
Cost Benefits
· Lifetime cost of ownership for an electric school bus is estimated to be cheaper than current diesel powered buses. This is due to the significantly lower cost of fuel and maintenance costs, thereby offsetting the higher initial purchase price
· Electric vehicles do not need oil changes or emissions testing, there are fewer parts to break down, and there is less wear and tear on the braking system
· A pilot project is needed to test how electric school buses perform in NJ prior to making a major commitment to any one vendor. Experience in other states has shown that bus operating performance varies widely, and the number of miles a bus can get on a single charge depends on factors such as weather conditions, the type of terrain the bus is operating on, bus operator training, and regular maintenance
· Subsidies will be needed to help communities offset the significantly higher upfront purchase costs of electric school buses until such time that economies of scale associated with mass production will reduce manufacturing costs
· Operation cost savings may allow communities to reallocate school funds tohigher priority areas
· The cost of electric power is more stable than diesel or gas fuel, making it easier for school boards to budget expenses over time
· Electric school buses powered by renewable energy sources may be able to generate revenue by selling excess electricity back to the grid
Funding Sources
· VW Mitigation Trust and BPU funds may be allocated toward bus purchases
· Private sector funding options may be available from utility companies and manufacturers
Timely Replacements of Obsolete School Buses
· Many school buses predate the EPA’s 2007 diesel emission standards and are at the end of their economic life cycle
· Taxpayers in districts participating in the pilot project will avoid considerable replacement costs as well as receiving a much superior school bus