In response to presentations from local high school students and funding in the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill, Naperville 203 School District officials say they plan to transition school buses from diesel to electric in the future.
Superintendent Dan Bridges said the district intends to apply for funding for zero- and low-emission buses through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The grants will total $5 billion over the next five years.
“It’s in progress, we’re still working through it, but I think this is an exciting step that we have now available to us,” Bridges said at a June board meeting.
Board member Joseph Kazmisnki drafted a resolution to present to the Illinois Association of School Boards to urge state and federal governments to provide funding for school districts to transition to electric buses. His resolution noted that exposure to diesel emissions can have a negative impact on the respiratory health and cognition of students, potentially leading to more absenteeism and worse academic performance.
“Converting to zero emission buses would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and would improve air quality in communities across the state, leading to wider public health benefits,” he said.
He noted that solar panels could be installed on the roofs of schools to power buses as well as the buildings themselves, further reducing carbon emissions in the district.
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At a May school board meeting, several students from a Peace and Conflict Studies class at Naperville Central High School testified in favor of switching to the greener technology.
“It is evident that electric buses are vital to our future so we must implement them into our school district’s transportation fleet to benefit both the environment and ourselves,” student Emma Orend said. “Electric buses are just a small change that has the potential to enact significant environmental benefits, including improved air quality and lessening emissions.”
Student Frank Pan noted that powering electric buses would also save the district money, estimating that they are about a quarter of the cost to power compared to diesel buses, leading to a savings of thousands of dollars annually per bus and tens of thousands over the lifetime of each vehicle. He also pointed out that the cost of electricity is more stable than that of fuel.
Charging stations can range from a couple thousand dollars up to $50,000 a piece, but the lowered costs over time can make up for that investment, Pan said. Manufacturers also offer “pay as you save” programs, he said.
Student Sofia Fernandez outlined the funding sources. Beyond the infrastructure bill, those include the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act, and the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.
Claire Savage, another student, recommended brands based on factors like efficiency, warranties and safety records. Among them are Blue Bird Corp., Lion Electric Co., Lyon and Thomas Built buses.
The students said Indian Prairie School District 204 and Huntley Community School District 158 are among the area districts that plan to implement electric buses soon. An electric bus from Lisle-based Navistar stopped by Jefferson Junior High in Naperville a few years ago to educate students.
“Ultimately, the benefits of this transition are numerous,” student Grace Niketas said. “Electric buses are better for the environment, public health and over time will reduce transportation costs.
“As climate change continues to progress, imminent action becomes increasingly necessary and must not be avoided. Overall electric buses are essential for District 203’s future,” she said.
Giles Bruce is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.