Michigan's third-largest school district is going electric. Dearborn Public Schools is adding to its school bus fleet with the addition of 18 electric school buses. 

The 18 Blue Bird All American Type D electric buses generate no emissions, can travel up to 120 miles on a single charge, and can be fully charged in six to eight hours overnight. 

The district partnered with Highland Electric Fleets for the project, which installed 20 BorgWarner charging stations, enabling overnight and downtime charging to keep the buses ready for daily routes. The buses were acquired through Holland Bus Company, Blue Bird's authorized dealer in Michigan. DTE Energy and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy also supported the project.

"The addition of these 18 electric buses is another example of how our district is leading the way and taking actions that will benefit students and the greater Dearborn community," said Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. "There is also a lesson here for our students about the importance of being good stewards of the environment and taking steps to be a role model. We also appreciate the $7.1 million in grant funding from the EPA that made the purchase of these buses possible."

Dearborn Public Schools anticipates cost-savings through reduced or eliminated fuel and maintenance costs. Some Blue Bird customers report fuel costs of up to 79 cents per mile for their diesel buses, compared to an average 14 cents per mile in energy costs for electric buses.

"Blue Bird is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of electric school buses in North America," said Albert Burleigh, VP of North America bus sales at Blue Bird Corporation. "We are thrilled to build on our exclusive, more than 30-year relationship with Dearborn Public Schools by delivering 18 state-of-the-art zero-emission school buses to the district. The continued transition to electric vehicles will help the district reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while improving student and community health."

Blue Bird operates over 2,500 electric-powered, zero-emission school buses today.

Last fall, Jackson Public Schools in Michigan added 21 new electric buses from EPA funding as well. The contracts for both districts were announced in 2023.