School transportation provider First Student is celebrating the achievement of 1-million miles driven in electric school buses, with more than 230 EV buses in its fleet carrying 800,000 students to school this year.

The milestone is a mark of the company's ongoing electrification efforts as it has partnered with more than 50 districts to apply for the first round of funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program. That project resulted in the awarding of funds for 170 new electric school buses for First Student's district partners.

"As the leader in school bus electrification, this showcases the immediate impact of our efforts to fuel a clean, sustainable future for our children," said Kevin L. Matthews, head of electrification for First Student. "Our internal team of EV and consulting experts is creating a pathway of innovation benefiting communities across North America."

Transitioning school districts to electric school buses can create cost savings from lower bus maintenance and lower fuel expense that can be returned to the classroom. Replacing a diesel school bus with an electric one could eliminate as much as 54,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

First Student is actively deploying electric school buses across North America in 2023, including California, Oregon, and Missouri. Through 2024, the company plans to add 15 to 20 electric school buses per month to its fleet.