Valley View Independent School District (ISD), in partnership with Highland Electric Fleets, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of the district’s first fleet of electric school buses. The project marks Highland’s first fleet electrification initiative in South Texas and includes eight Thomas Built Type-C electric buses and eight Tellus 30kW chargers.

Cleaner, Quieter, and More Cost-Efficient

With the addition of electric buses, Valley View ISD aims to reduce fuel and maintenance expenses by as much as 25%. The new buses provide quieter rides, lower emissions, and air conditioning to ensure comfort for students traveling in the South Texas heat.

“Valley View ISD is proud to bring the first electric school buses to our community,” said Monica Luna, interim superintendent at Valley View ISD. “This project helps us cut transportation costs while giving our students a cleaner, healthier ride to school.”

Partnership with Highland Electric Fleets

Highland Electric Fleets, a provider of Electrification-as-a-Service for school districts, worked with Valley View ISD to deliver a turnkey solution that includes the buses, charging equipment, and long-term maintenance. The electric buses now serve daily routes across the district, averaging about 40 miles per day.

“This milestone shows what’s possible when schools and partners work together,” said Matthew Scott, regional business manager for Highland Electric Fleets. “For Valley View, it means cleaner air for students, reliable buses for drivers, and savings that can be reinvested in classrooms.”

Funding and Event Highlights

The project received $2.7 million in funding through the third round of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program.

The ribbon-cutting event, held Oct. 16, 2025, at the district’s transportation department behind Valley View North Elementary, featured remarks from students, school administrators, and partner representatives. Attendees toured the charging infrastructure and participated in a ride-along aboard one of the new electric school buses.