As part of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York State is aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses by 40% as of 2030, with a target of an 85% reduction by 2050. As part of this plan, a deadline was established for all school districts to transition entirely to zero-emission school buses by 2035.

In addition to the 2035 deadline for all school buses to be zero-emission vehicles, any buses purchased from 2027 on must be zero-emission buses.

“It is a mandate, and it is going to happen, so we better be in the right place,” said Board of Education President Martha Howard.

Last November, the Environmental Bond Act provided $500 million in funding statewide for school districts to transition to zero-emission buses. Ralston highlighted that most of the funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, which has prompted the district to take a “realistic, yet aggressive” timeline for implementation of electric buses in its fleet.

Pictured at right is Silver Creek Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston as she presented the Board of Education with information pertaining to the purchase of electric buses.

“Right now, there isn’t enough money available for everybody to just make the transition,” Ralston said.

Ralston noted that Silver Creek is considered a high-need district, which makes the likelihood for substantial assistance much greater.

“Right now, we are at a prime time to get as many incentives as possible,” Ralston said. “… The sooner we can engage and apply for (incentives) the better positioned we are to make a successful transition by 2035.”

The nearby Lake Shore and Pine Valley school districts have already begun the transition, as the districts each have already purchased electric school buses.

Ralston presented facts to the Board of Education from the New York State Electric School Bus Roadmap and Guidebook, including that 480,000 school buses are operated in the nation, with a nation-leading 45,000 in New York State. The transportation sector contributes to 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions in New York state.

Ralston’s presentation also stated exposure to fumes from school buses is linked to diminished performance in school, and that students with disabilities, rural communities, low-income families, and students of color travel longer distances on buses, which leads to greater exposure to pollutants.

Silver Creek’s current fleet includes its oldest bus from 2015, with three recently purchased buses for the year of 2024. The district’s longest bus route is 120 miles, and its shortest route is 28 miles. Of the types of electric buses currently manufactured, smaller buses classified as Type A range from 100-150 miles per charge, while Type C buses range from 120 miles up to 210 miles per charge.

Ralston stated that the district currently has 27 buses in its fleet. To convert those 27 buses, one-third would be classified as Type A buses, with a capacity for 16-20 passengers. The cost would vary from $265,000 to $335,000 per vehicle. Two-thirds of the fleet would be classified as Type C buses, which hold 60-72 passengers, with a cost varying between $300,000 and $400,000 per vehicle.

Nine manufacturers have been approved for sale of electric buses in New York State. Those manufacturers are Blue Bird, BYD, Green Power, IC Bus, Lightning eMotors, Lion Electric, Motive/Collins/TransTech, Phoenix Motorcars, and Thomas Built. There are also two different chargers available: Level 2, which is a less expensive charger with a slower charge with an easier installation; and Level 3 (DCFC), which is a more expensive, more complex charger with faster charging capabilities. Ralston stated that most Silver Creek buses would only require a Level 2 charger.

The district executed an agreement with CPL to assist in the transition to utilizing electric buses. The district’s route analysis is complete; the site plan for its infrastructure is in progress; and the feasibility study began in October. By the end of 2023, the district anticipates the completion of its budget analysis, its charge management systems and energy storage solutions, and a draft report to be completed by CPL.

The CPL draft will then be sent to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for its technical review, which is tentatively expected to be returned to CPL by mid-February before its final review, which is tentatively expected in March.

The final report the district receives will include eligible incentives to the district, budget tables, a comparison between diesel buses and electric vehicles including fuel and maintenance costs, and the district’s future infrastructure needs.