Overview
- The district introduced 27 Blue Bird electric buses at a Nov. 17 ribbon-cutting in North Aurora, establishing the Chicago region’s largest electric school bus fleet.
- Funding includes about $5.5 million from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and $930,000 from ComEd, against roughly $8.6 million for buses and about $1 million for charging infrastructure.
- Officials expect about $120,000 in annual fuel savings, with school leaders citing cleaner air, lower operating costs, and quieter rides for students and drivers.
- Highland Electric Fleets handled vehicle procurement, charger installation, and long-term fleet services, with Central States Bus Sales supplying buses and Grand Kahn Electric installing charging equipment.
- On-site DC charging supports daily operations and initial shorter routes, and the buses are reported to seat up to 77 with roughly 130 miles of range, as advocates also point to future grid-storage potential.