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electrifying education oaklands school bus fleet goes green paving the way to cleaner air 2384

Environment

Electrifying Education: Oakland's School Bus Fleet Goes Green, Paving the Way to Cleaner Air!

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Lauren Miller

May 16, 2024 - 18:22 pm

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Oakland Unveils Revolutionary Electric School Bus Fleet to Combat Pollution

In an innovative push towards green energy, the Oakland Unified School District has unveiled an impressive fleet of electric school buses in an industrial district of Oakland. This groundbreaking project marks the first all-electric bus fleet serving a major US school district. Commencing operations in August, these 74 state-of-the-art vehicles will provide much more than just transportation—they will contribute 2.1 gigawatt-hours of electricity back to the Bay Area power grid, benefitting 300 to 400 homes in the process.

The introduction of electric school buses is set to significantly curtail carbon emissions—a staggering 25,000 tons annually. This development is particularly meaningful in Oakland, where public school students, 72% of whom hail from low-income families, bear the brunt of pollutants emanating from the bustling port, intense truck traffic, and industrial activity. Alameda County, Oakland's home, grapples with some of the highest levels of air pollution nationwide, a sobering fact highlighted in a recent American Lung Association report.

For decades, diesel school buses were the only option available, offering little shield from harmful pollutants known to lead to respiratory issues such as asthma. Marjorie Urbina, a seasoned school bus driver of 23 years, vividly recalls the soot-laden interiors of these buses, a tangible sign of the pernicious diesel smoke not only in the buses but lingering in their lungs. The switch to electric buses symbolizes a breath of fresh air for the drivers and the students alike.

Despite the positive change in Oakland, it is a small fraction of the national picture where the vast majority of the United States' 480,000 school buses still run on diesel. Shockingly, low-income students who represent a substantial 60% of the 20 million children transported to school each day are the most exposed to this disproportionate source of vehicular pollution. Heavy-duty trucks, including school buses, may only make up a mere 6% of vehicles on US roads, but their contributions to pollution are significant—at nearly 59% of road transportation emissions.

The broader shift towards the electrification of school buses was underscored by Harold Wimmer, CEO of the American Lung Association, who during a recent webinar, highlighted the pivotal role these vehicles can play in purification of our air, safeguarding the health of our children in particular.

Transforming School Transportation with Zūm

Zūm, a Silicon Valley startup, is at the forefront of this clean energy journey, now managing electric bus fleets not only in Oakland but across several US cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle. With its initial rollout of electric buses in 2022, around 10% of Zūm's fleet has achieved zero-emission status. The progressive conversion of these fleets provides a blueprint for other districts to eliminate diesel dependency and incorporate grid-supportive electrification measures.

Vivek Garg, Zūm's co-founder and COO, explains that electric school buses are de facto large mobile batteries. They follow predictable routes, covering a relatively small number of miles, positioning them perfectly for vehicle-to-grid programs. Their idyllic synchronization with renewable energy production and electrical demand makes them assets to a transitioning energy grid.

In an intricate dance of energy utilization and conservation, electric buses in Oakland will begin the school day with a full 110 miles of range. The depot becomes a hub of activity as drivers return mid-morning with 68% battery capacity—just as California's solar energy production peaks, aligning with lowered electricity rates. By strategically charging during these off-peak times, Zūm can capitalize on cheaper rates and supply excess energy back to the grid during peak hours, reducing fossil fuel reliance.

Rudi Halbright, a product manager for vehicle-grid integration pilots at Pacific Gas and Electric Company, sees great potential in harnessing the latent power capacity of buses. This contribution aids the grid precisely when it needs it the most, suggesting that successful implementation at scale could herald a seismic shift in energy distribution practices.

Kim Raney, OUSD's transportation chief, played a pivotal role by mandating electric buses by 2025 during contract negotiations with Zūm. Given that the district caters primarily to special education students—a fraction of its populace—it was imperative to offer these students something better than a "noisy, stinky" ride to school. This initiative promises a radically enhanced experience for the families, many of whom have limited exposure to electric vehicles.

Financial Roadblock and Solutions

The California legislation, passed last year, determined that starting 2035, all newly procured school buses must be zero-emission. Nevertheless, transitioning to an electric fleet presents significant financial challenges for underfunded school districts; even smaller capacity buses can cost triple the price of their diesel counterparts.

Making financial sense of this eco-friendly move, Zūm's fleet benefited from the support of subsidies through the US EPA's Clean School Bus Program, state funds, and regional air quality initiatives. PG&E becomes a critical player by funding necessary power upgrades for the chargers and remunerating Zūm for the electricity fed back into the grid.

Recent changes in state school bus legislation have also worked in favor of this green transition, allowing a 15-year maximum contract term for zero-emission buses which substantially enhances the potential for obtaining financing.

Moreover, Zūm's proprietary technology streamlines cost-saving measures. Its app optimizes route planning and student pickups, readjusting on the fly based on daily attendance. The predictability of the electric buses' energy requirements also enables charging at a lower voltage, thus negating the need for cost-intensive fast charging stations.

Advancing Beyond Electricity: The Human Experience

Back at the OUSD facility, Urbina demonstrates the tangible benefits of the electric transformation. She joyfully pilots one of the buses, enjoying the cool, filtered air of the air-conditioned environment—windows closed—and revels in the quiet that the electric model affords. She notes that not only are the children less exposed to pollution, but the absence of a roaring diesel engine means a calmer ambiance for the students—a stark and welcome contrast to the chaotic noise of the past.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Urbina expressed, "I love that it's quiet, because when the bus is loud, kids get louder." This encapsulates the profound impact that the electric fleet has not just on the environment, but on the day-to-day school experiences of Oakland's children.

Read more about the implications of this electric vehicle development and its national context in Bloomberg's comprehensive report: The Next EV Push Is an Overhaul of the Iconic American School Bus.

In conclusion, Oakland's daring leap into electric school buses serves as much more than a transportation method; it symbolizes a commitment to a cleaner, healthier environment for its residents. The collaboration between the school district, Zūm, and PG&E is a powerful example of how technology, when harmonized with civic objectives, can usher in a new era of sustainability—one that benefits not just present-day students but future generations that will follow.

Oakland's transformational journey from diesel to electric school buses illuminates a path forward, demonstrating the palpable difference that innovation, perseverance, and collaboration can make in tackling the environmental and health challenges of our time.

As school districts across the nation watch Oakland's pioneering efforts unfold, it's clear that the road to a greener future is being paved, one electric school bus at a time.

With continued support, technological advancements, and public and private partnerships, the transition to electric school bus fleets can and will become a widespread reality, providing cleaner air, safer transportation, and a living lesson in environmental stewardship for students across the country.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P. This news article integrates content directly sourced from Bloomberg's reporting. For the full breadth of Bloomberg's coverage on this and other related topics, please refer to their official website Bloomberg.com.