New electric school buses will soon be headed to Moorhead Area Public Schools (MAPS) . 

At its August meeting, the Moorhead School Board approved acceptance of the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Electric School Bus Equipment Grant, providing $1.2 million to fund three all-electric school buses and the charging infrastructure needed to support them.

A district spokesperson told School Bus Fleet that they intend to pursue three Thomas Built Buses Jouleys.

“Having the ability to expand our fleet with minimal cost to the district made this particular grant very attractive to us,” said Sean Schneider, MAPS director of transportation. “When you add in the savings that each bus will provide in operational and energy expenses, this is a great deal for our district and our taxpayers.”

MAPS is partnering with Highland Electric to handle procurement, charger installation, operations, and monitoring. At a fixed cost of $24,000 per bus per year, it also includes maintenance and disposal management. This partnership ensures that the district incurs no capital outlay for non-grant expenses and provides a fixed, predictable cost of $24,000 per bus per year, fully covered by operational savings. 

The grant will cover 90% of the bus costs and 95% of the infrastructure expenses. The three new buses are projected to save the district an estimated $150,000 annually through reduced costs. 

Unlike many federal programs, this state-funded initiative allows districts to add new buses without retiring existing diesel vehicles.

MAPS will collaborate with local fire departments and emergency agencies for safety training, and district drivers will receive specialized training in electric vehicle operation. 

The buses are expected to launch on three routes beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

While Minnesota winters can affect battery efficiency, MAPS is well-positioned for success, the district said. Indoor storage at its Operations Center garage will protect batteries from extreme cold, ensuring reliable performance. With routes averaging only 50 miles per day — and the buses’ winter range of about 100 miles per charge — it is confident in their effectiveness. Schneider said that the buses will be stored in heated garages and equipped with electric heaters to maintain optimal temperatures.

By leveraging outside funding, MAPS is using a critical strategy as the district faces ongoing budget constraints. This creative approach underscores the importance of the upcoming operating and capital projects levy.