Maryland State invests in electric school buses
The investments will go towards a range of initiatives, including grants to bring the first EVs into the Kent County school fleet and electrify school buses that are used to take pupils on school trips across the state. Overall, the funding will enable the purchase of 53 electric school buses, three EV fleet transition and management plans, and 40 chargers. The projects it funds cover everything, including the purchase or lease of electric buses, long-term planning and site readiness, and initiatives in low-income communities.
Maryland Energy Administration has shared a breakdown of the grant funding, covering everything from fleet expansion to electrification:
- Baltimore County Public Schools (through Highland Electric Fleets, Inc.) – $3 million to expand an already growing fleet
- Chesapeake Charters (through Highland Electric Fleets, Inc.) – around $2.1 million to initiate fleet electrification
- Howard County Public Schools (through Zum Services, Inc.) – $1.75 million to meet the county’s diverse needs
- Kent County Public Schools (through Highland Electric Fleets, Inc.) – around $850,000 to deploy the first EVs in the county fleet
- Board of Education of Frederick County – $1.8 million to expand an existing fleet and collaborate with Potomac Edison
- Prince George’s County Public Schools – around $2.5 million to grow the electric school bus and charger network
- Washington County Board of Education – $100,000 to explore the feasibility of deploying electric school buses and EV charging
Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky said: “From rural counties planning their first zero-emission school buses to large districts scaling up ambitious electric fleets, this year’s grants include the purchase of vehicles, infrastructure installation, feasibility studies and technician training – each of which are important parts of the move toward cleaner transportation. The key takeaway is that this program will make improvements in school districts’ operating budgets and in the health of our schoolkids.”
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