technology is there. We need to make sure we’re moving toward it in a thoughtful but urgent way.”
Taking a Metered Approach to Bus Replacement While modern diesel technology has significantly re-
duced emissions, Minjares said the distinction between low-emission and zero-emission vehicles ultimately comes down to exposure. “With diesel, even at very low levels, there are still
emissions,” he said. “The question becomes: How close are you, and how many vehicles are there?” He noted that pollution can accumulate depend-
ing on proximity and scale, especially in high-density environments. By contrast, electric buses eliminate that uncertainty. “With zero-emission vehicles, there’s no tailpipe, no
deterioration over time and no concern about how many are operating,” Minjares said. “All of those factors just go away.” Minjares acknowledged that electric buses are not
entirely emissions-free when considering electrici- ty generation, but he emphasized that the location of
emissions matters for public health. “We don’t necessarily live next to power plants,” he said. “So, from a public health perspective, the exposure is very different compared to tailpipe emissions right where children are.” He added that as the electric grid continues to in-
corporate more renewable energy, those upstream emissions are expected to decline further. Looking ahead, Minjares said one of the most prom-
ising developments is not just the technology itself, but how it’s being deployed. “We’re starting to see zero-emission solutions that can
deliver a lower cost per mile than diesel,” he said. In some cases, utilities and third-party providers are
offering turnkey models that reduce upfront costs for school districts. “You can realize the benefits without having to buy the
bus,” he explained. “That combination of lower operating costs and new business models is what makes this really exciting.” As school districts weigh the health and operational benefits of diesel versus electric buses, Allen Schaeffer,
44 School Transportation News • JUNE 2026
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