Ann Arbor Schools Boost Electric Bus Fleet With $4M Grant for 10 New Buses

Ann Arbor Public Schools snagged a $4 million grant. Ten electric buses will join the fleet. This brings the total to 24 electric vehicles out of 130 buses that carry students to and from school each day.

Six electric buses were purchased last spring at a cost of $2.7 million, and those vehicles should arrive this winter. That purchase raised the count to 14 electric buses before officials announced the new grant.

Grant money has covered most electric vehicle purchases. The district has been shifting away from traditional fuel-powered buses, replacing them with cleaner alternatives over the past several years.

This new funding marks one of the largest single investments the district has made in its electric bus program. Earlier purchases were smaller both in scope and price tag.

School districts nationwide have been switching to electric bus fleets. Lower emissions matter and fuel costs drop over time.

Electric buses need different charging infrastructure and maintenance than diesel-powered vehicles do. Districts must install charging stations, while staff need training on the technology.

Operating costs for electric buses can run lower than diesel vehicles across their lifespan. Grant funding has been critical to making the shift affordable for school districts with tight budgets.

Federal and state programs provide grants to help school systems purchase electric buses. These programs try to speed up adoption of cleaner transportation options across the country.

The six buses bought last spring will arrive this winter. The 10 new vehicles from the $4 million grant will show up after that delivery.

Once all purchases are finished, electric buses will make up nearly 20 percent of the total fleet. Officials haven't announced a timeline for converting the remaining diesel buses.