Electrifying the Future: A State-by-State Overview of Electric School Bus Mandates in the United States

As the push for cleaner, greener transportation gains momentum, electric school buses are becoming a focal point in the drive to reduce emissions and promote sustainability.

Electric school buses are significant in reducing emissions and promoting sustainability for several reasons. Traditional diesel-powered school buses emit pollutants that contribute to air quality issues and health problems, particularly for children who are more vulnerable to respiratory issues. By transitioning to electric school buses, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, and provide a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone in the community. Plus, electric buses can save money in the long run on fuel and maintenance, which means schools can reinvest those savings into other important areas like classrooms, technology, and extracurricular programs, making them a smart choice for the future.

Currently, the adoption of electric school buses in the US is gaining traction but still faces several challenges. While a number of states have implemented mandates and set ambitious goals for the transition, the overall percentage of electric school buses on the road remains relatively low. Key challenges include the higher upfront costs of electric buses, the need for extensive charging infrastructure, and the financial and logistical hurdles that school districts must overcome. However, progress is being made, with some states leading the way in policy support and pilot programs that showcase the viability and benefits of electric school buses. Federal incentives and grants are also playing a crucial role in accelerating this transition.

This post provides an overview of these mandates, highlighting which states have adopted them and what their specific requirements entail. This is the first in our series on electrifying school buses in the US.

Photo by Damian Carr on Unsplash

California:

• Commencing January 1st, 2035, 100 percent of all newly purchased or contracted school buses of a local educational agency shall be zero-emission vehicles, where feasible (AB579 — enrolled)
• All school buses to be 100 percent zero-emission vehicles by 2045 (AB579 — enrolled)

Delaware:

• Requires that 30% of school buses purchased by the state be electric vehicles in FY 2030 (HB10 — enacted)
• Sets interim goals for Department of Education’s annual bus purchases to include a certain percentage of electric-powered school buses — starting with 5% in 2025 and then increasing by 5% each year until 2030 to reach the 30% mark (HB10 — enacted)

Hawaii:

• Requires the Department of Education to transition to zero emission vehicles for all student transportation by 2035 (HB 654 / SB 970 — proposed )
• Beginning from 2023, requires the state to not enter into a school bus contract for a term that extends past 2045, unless the bus is a zero emission bus (SB 457 — proposed)
• Beginning from 2045, requires the state to enter into a school bus contract only if the bus is a zero emission bus (SB 457 — proposed)

Illinois:

• Requires all new school bus purchases and contracts to be electric by 2028 (HB 2287/ SB 2154 — proposed)
• Requires all school buses operating in equity investment eligible communities to be electric by 2030 (HB 2287/ SB 2154 — proposed)
• Requires all school buses operating statewide to be electric by 2035 (HB 2287/ SB 2154 — proposed)

Massachusetts:

• Requires all public fleets, including school buses, to be 50% electric by 2025, 75% electric by 2030, 100% electric by 2035 (HB 3139 / SB 2218 — proposed)

Washington:

• Requires that by 2030, 70% of new school bus purchases and contracts must be zero emission vehicles (HB 1368 — proposed)
• Requires that by 2033, all new school bus purchases and contracts must be zero emission vehicles (HB 1368 — proposed)
• Requires that beginning 2035, any new school bus purchases and contracts must be zero emission vehicles (SB 5431 — proposed)
• Allows districts to request a one-term extension up to 5 years under certain conditions

Switching to electric school buses is a big step toward a greener and more sustainable future. Each state is making its own efforts to meet their goals, showing a national commitment to cutting emissions and protecting the environment. In our upcoming posts, we’ll explore the benefits, funding opportunities, and challenges in the push to electrify school transportation. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts. We want to create opportunities for collaboration and a forum to exchange ideas about electrification.

See you next week for more insights and updates. 🍃