Repowers by the Numbers 480,000 $390,000 $175,000


2,352


Total School Buses in the U.S. Average Cost of New Electric School Bus


Average Cost of Repowered Electric School Bus


Number of new electric school buses that EPA funded in first round of Clean School Bus Program


4,704 10-18 3-4


Number of repowered ESBs that EPA could fund with same amount of money


Months from order to delivery of a new electric school bus


Months from order to delivery of a repowered electric school bus


Challenges Some mechanics object strongly to repowers, citing the unavailability of parts for older buses and the un- reliability of aging buses, in general. Consultant Nancy Jensen was the former driver-trainer for Twin Rivers Unified School District near Sacramento, California, which led the way for school bus electrification dating back to 2017. She pointed out that, “Charging infrastruc- ture doesn’t get permitted or built any faster just because the electric bus is arriving faster.” But then, many bus yards can fuel their first few ESBs


with existing electricity, i.e., no time-consuming up- grades. Scott Sochacki, vice president of sales for Midwest Transit Equipment explained, “All our transformed buses will be able to take both Level 2 and DC/FC charging. And all of them will be V2G (vehicle to grid) compatible.” V2G, currently being piloted in a couple of locations, is expected to eventually yield revenue, i.e., from utilities to districts with ESBs. “Extending the life of a bus can be good, but it has to


be done smartly,” added Jensen. “Drivers and kids don’t want to sit in worn seats or navigate worn switches no matter how new the drivetrain. The idea is to make the bus feel new, regardless of age, and get 10-plus years of zero tailpipe emission use.”


58 School Transportation News • MARCH 2023


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