
Los Angeles District Approves Clean Energy Resolution
The fourth-largest district school bus fleet in the U.S., according to School Bus Fleet's research, commits to transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040.
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Despite the buzz and novelty around new all-electric technology, diesel school buses continue to be the nation’s most trusted student transportation technology.
In fact, 95% of large school buses on U.S. roads rely on a diesel powertrain because of the unique combination of safety, efficiency, reliability, and durability that school districts have come to expect and demand.
Thanks to decades of innovation, the latest diesel engines (2011 and newer model years) meet the demanding duty cycle school districts require, delivering students safely while producing near-zero emissions. Even better, a growing number of the school buses on the road — now up to 40% — are equipped with the latest near-zero emissions diesel technology.
For Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-regulated emissions, here’s a look at how diesel stacks up:
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The EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program continues to offer districts the opportunity to receive funds to help replace buses that are model year 2006 or older. To date, nearly 25,000 buses across the country have already been made cleaner as a result of DERA funding.
Meanwhile, for the EPA’s school bus rebate program, more than 90% of funds have gone toward clean diesel engine upgrades.
Also, the recent settlement with Volkswagen includes a $2.9 billion trust to help introduce clean technologies across a wide variety of vehicles and equipment types, including school buses.
There are many smart and simple steps to reduce emissions from school bus fleets, most notably a sharper eye to regular vehicle maintenance, and practical policies that restrict or prohibit vehicle idling outside of schools in pickup zones. Implementing these simple steps, along with a thoughtful bus replacement policy, ensures that a district will have a reliable, well-maintained, and newer fleet to serve the needs of its students and the community.
Diversifying transportation fuels and technologies in the school bus fleet may be of greater interest to some than others, but when the dismissal bell sounds at the end of the day, safe, reliable, and affordable pupil transportation is everyone’s assignment.
Allen Schaeffer is the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, which advocates for clean diesel technology. The nonprofit education organization is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel, and technology. Learn more at www.dieselforum.org.
The fourth-largest district school bus fleet in the U.S., according to School Bus Fleet's research, commits to transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040.
The state’s second round of Volkswagen settlement funding will be used to support a total of 15 clean air projects that will reportedly reduce almost 68 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions.
Take a look at Jouley, the first generation Saf-T-Liner C2 electric bus.
The new buses for Suffolk Transportation and Bay Shore Union Free School District are part of the first production line series of electric models from Blue Bird.
The Missouri Propane Education and Research Council’s rebate to Student Transportation of America is for its purchase of 10 of the alternative-fuel buses. The council has committed $1 million to help school districts in the state transition from diesel to propane buses.
Henry County Schools' Blue Bird Vision propane buses are expected to emit 500 fewer pounds of particulate matter per year and about 19,000 fewer pounds of nitrogen oxide than the diesel buses they replaced.
The National Congress on School Transportation Steering Committee firms up plans and writing committees are researching requests for procedures manual changes. The Congress will meet in Des Moines, Iowa, in May.
The program is designed to guide school districts through the necessary steps for integrating electric vehicles into fleets. Topics covered include route optimization, infrastructure assessment, and funding.
The school bus manufacturer will start offering Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems’ Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake on its Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric bus in July 2020.
The IC Bus parent company opens its NEXT eMobility Solutions unit in Detroit to deliver customized electrification solutions for commercial vehicles, including school buses.
The school bus manufacturer delivers more than a dozen propane-powered buses to Newport News (Va.) Public Schools and North Penn School District in Lansdale, Pa.
The mulit-dispenser charging solution enables automated, sequential vehicle charging with up to four dispensers per power control system.
Electric buses, onboard technology, seat belts, and illegal passing were key points of discussion on the first full day.
The electric school bus manufacturer’s second educational facility is located in Green Island. Lion launched its first Experience Center in Sacramento, Calif., last fall.
The two states are offering funding for low-emission, alt-fuel school buses. Florida is also providing funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
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Miked
| about 11 months agoSo these diesel buses don’t “blow coal” like new diesel pickup trucks do! There is nothing cleaner than electric buses. Not to mention the carbon monoxide and diesel soot that seeps inside the buses that your children are breathing in. As far as funding most school districts get funding thru property taxes or private funding. School boards need to stop wasting money on frivolous expenses and support CLEAN and safe bus technology ; electric buses! Either you want your children to breath cleaner air or you don’t care.