Overview
- The district introduced 27 all-electric Blue Bird buses that entered daily service, creating the Chicago region’s largest electric school bus fleet.
- A $5.5 million EPA Clean School Bus grant and a $930,000 ComEd rebate supported vehicle purchases and the buildout of charging infrastructure.
- Highland Electric Fleets oversaw procurement and depot charging installation using Zerova 60 kW DC equipment at the North Aurora transportation center.
- District leaders cite about $8.6 million for the buses and roughly $1 million for electrical service and chargers, with projected fuel savings near $120,000 per year.
- Drivers report much quieter rides as the buses run shorter routes with overnight charging, while limited destination charging and a closed EPA application window constrain further near-term expansion.