charging can begin. At many locations STA uses 30kW DC fast chargers from InCharge Energy that operate sequentially, meaning one EVSE is connected to two school buses. When the first bus completes its charge, the charge initiates in the second bus. “If either the charger’s plug has dirt in it blocking its
connectors, or the vehicle’s port has the same prob- lem, this will cause a conflict with the handshake and charging won’t start,” Wood said. The same issue can occur if the charger is not fully
plugged into the vehicle. He said gasoline pumps and EVSE are similar in that
both rely on feedback from the vehicle to know when to stop. A gas pump uses air pressure as an indicator. An EV uses digital signals. “My first car was a 2001 Chevy Blazer, and if I filled
it up too quickly, the fuel vapors weren’t being vented properly, so there would be increased pressure buildup, causing the pump to stop dispensing,” Wood said. “Simi- larly with an electric vehicle, the charge session can end earlier than expected if there isn’t an agreement between the communications from the vehicle and charger.”
The challenge, he added, is that most people are not standing near the EVSE waiting to restart a failed or interrupted session. In some cases, software can help resolve the issue automatically. Meanwhile, time is another factor. Wood said charge management systems can limit total power output to reduce demand charges. But if those limits are not man- aged dynamically, users can run into situations where vehicles do not charge quickly enough when needed. Winter weather adds another layer of complexity. As
temperatures drop, drivers use onboard HVAC systems to keep buses warm, which draws additional energy from the battery. That increases the amount of energy needed between runs and, in turn, the amount of time required to charge. That can be especially challenging for school buses,
which often charge between morning and afternoon routes. With sequential charging, the first bus needs enough time to reach the required SOC for its afternoon route. But it cannot stay connected so long that the sec- ond bus does not have enough time to charge. “This can be resolved by either manipulating the
On being awarded the 2026 STN Innovator of the Year Award!
Congratulations, Cameron Wood, Electrification Performance Lead Analyst at Student Transportation of America (STA)!
Transfinder is honored to partner with you and the STA team as we help our clients create the safest and most efficient operations possible.
Cheers on your well-deserved award. 800.373.3609 I
transfinder.com
64 School Transportation News • JULY 2026
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