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chool districts acquire electric buses in part to be more environmentally responsible. But the batteries in electric buses present their own sustainability challenges, since mining of the necessary metals often involves unscru-
pulous environmental and labor practices. Meanwhile, disposing of used batteries could become a serious waste issue. Hence the World Resources Institute (WRI) and other sustain-
ability leaders are advocating for increased transparency around the battery supply chain and expanded options for battery reuse and recycling. Lawmakers are also taking action. States including New Jersey, California, Hawaii and Washington have adopted or proposed mandates around battery transparency or end-of-life use. On the federal level, Congress is considering a bipartisan bill that would develop a digital ID for batteries, helping customers push for better practices and domestic production. “Every stakeholder in the ecosystem should be pushing for eth-
ical and responsible sourcing,” said Vishant Kothari, WRI senior manager for school bus electrification and battery circularity. “Decisions around this get made at the OEM level, but there is a strong influence buyers can have, that advocates can have. Ac- tivists, policymakers, all of these secondary stakeholders would likely influence OEMs to make sure they are taking the appropri- ate measures to source responsibility.” Bus operators can prolong battery life through the most effi-
cient charging and maintenance practices, reducing waste in the long run. And OEMs have a role to play through their warranties, since those determine how quickly batteries are swapped out. OEMs may also end up being responsible for the used batteries. Regina Anderson is transportation director for Falls Church
A technician works with a BMWi electric battery that Motiv used for its EPIC 4 Type A school bus built with a Starcraft body.
City Public Schools in Virginia, which has three electric buses. She’s among the many transportation directors who want their buses to be part of sustainability solutions without creating more problems. “I just don’t want the batteries to become an environmental
issue after they are no longer being used on the buses,” Anderson said. “To see them being repurposed would be tremendous and good for our environment.”
Battery Type and Life Cycle There are two main types of lithium-ion batteries used in school buses: lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt, or NMC, and lithium-iron-phosphate, or LFP. Both have their pros and cons in terms of supply chain and lifecycle. NMC batteries typically charge quicker and hold more energy to last more miles, and recycling their components fetches high- er prices. The components of LFP batteries are more abundant, and the battery has a longer life, making them better suited to reuse after being retired from a vehicle. “Fleet owners need to consider when procuring what type of
battery chemistry is best suited for their needs,” Kothari said. “It isn’t a blanket recommendation. It truly depends on the situation.” It can be difficult for customers to even know which type of
Attendees inspect a GreenPower Mega Beast electric drive train with batteries during STN EXPO East in June.
battery they have. In a WRI survey of 16 bus manufacturers, eight declined to disclose what type of battery they use, while five re- ported LFPs and three NMCs.
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