District adds six hybrid buses to fleet
Columbus (Ohio) City Schools received funding of more than $1.1 million to replace old school buses. The new hybrid diesel-electrics were added to the district’s fleet last month.
Columbus (Ohio) City Schools continues to make progress in its goal of “greening” its fleet.
Last year, the district applied for and received a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program to replace six 1990 model year school buses with new hybrid diesel-electric buses. The funding totaled more than $1.1 million.
Steve Simmons, director of transportation at Columbus City Schools, reports that the hybrid buses were added to the fleet in August.
The district expects the hybrids to achieve a fuel economy increase of around 70 percent compared to a standard diesel. CO2 emissions are expected to be reduced by more than 40 percent.
More Alternative Fuels

Alt-Fuel Moves: New Buses, Charging Hubs & Real-World EV Testing
Propane and electric school bus deployments continue to grow as districts add new vehicles, expand charging infrastructure, and gather more real-world operating data.
Read More →
Fewer Electric School Bus Models Reshape the U.S. Market
WRI’s latest buyer’s guide points to a consolidating electric school bus market, but fewer options may reflect a maturing industry rather than fewer meaningful choices for school bus operators.
Read More →
The Fuel Budget You Can Actually Predict: How Propane Autogas Keeps Money in the Classroom
Learn how propane autogas helps school districts manage fuel costs with predictable pricing, lower maintenance, and reduced emissions from former transportation director Joel Stutheit.
Read More →
Hendrickson, Driventic Introduce New Electric Powertrain for School Buses
ELECTRAAX, the electrified, lightweight drive axle offers integrated ePowertrain efficiency and modular flexibility for Class 6–7 school bus use.
Read More →
The Mobility House Joins PowerFlex in Fleet Electrification Deal
The acquisition combines intelligent charging software, bidirectional charging expertise, and fleet electrification services to support the growing adoption of electric school buses across North America.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: Electric School Bus Investments Hit the Road
See which districts across the U.S. are putting electric school buses into service, expanding charging infrastructure, and planning the next phase of fleet electrification.
Read More →
With Fuel Volatility Ahead, School Districts Turn to Propane
While diesel prices peaked above $5 this spring, districts with propane autogas-powered fleets paid under $2 per gallon, according to PERC.
Read More →
EPA Unveils Proposed Changes to 2027 Heavy-Duty Engine Rules
The federal agency has proposed changes to next year’s targets that would eliminate DEF derates, ease warranty requirements, and retain current NOx emissions standards.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: EV Charging & Infrastructure Projects Gain Momentum
The latest developments include new funding, charging infrastructure, utility investments, and fleet technologies designed to support the transition to electric school buses nationwide.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Power Up Beyond the Bus
See how districts are pairing electric buses with charging, solar, and V2G technology to cut costs, boost resilience, and unlock new fleet value.
Read More →
