Webinar: Overview for Electric School Bus Operators

April 10, 2024

Text version

Presentation slides

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) hosted the first in a four-part series of webinars providing operators, technicians, and other school bus fleet members with a fundamental understanding of electric school bus technology on April 10, 2024. Presenters demonstrated basics on electric buses, standard operations, controls, and driving, and charging procedures and infrastructure.

• Panelists included:

• Albert Burleigh, Blue Bird Corporation

• Brandon Reid, Lion Electric

• Mark Richardson, Thomas Bus/Daimler Truck

• Ryan Frasier, Joint Office moderator

• Maurice Beard, ITLC moderator

Key Takeaways

• Benefits of Electric School Bus: zero emissions, reduced maintenance costs, quiet operation, grant funds available, outstanding performance, vehicle to grid technology.

• 32% of school districts in the U.S. have state or local level directives to begin their transition to electric school buses as of November 2023

• EPA Clean School Bus Funding Rebates can be used to purchase Charging Infrastructure in addition to an EV school bus

• By modulating the accelerator pedal, a driver can effectively slow the bus down without touching the brake pedal. Regenerative braking can elongate the service life of braking systems if the system is maintained correctly.

• Follow the five-step charging procedure to ensure safe charging.

Resources

• Low or No Emission Grant Program

• Clean Bus Planning Awards

• RideElectric.gov

• Transit Vehicle Technical Assistance Contact Form