TL/DR –
The 2023 Clean School Bus Program has enabled Michigan to add 104 new electric school buses to 27 school districts. However, logistical hurdles connected to charging the electric buses still need to be overcome. The grant funding amounts to $25 million, with $5.18 million going to Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and $3.08 million going to Kent ISD, allotting 15 electric school buses for both GRPS and Kent ISD.
Transforming Michigan’s School Buses into Zero Emissions Vehicles
Michigan’s familiar scent of diesel school buses in the morning is gradually disappearing due to the 2023 Clean School Bus Program.
Through this initiative, Michigan has incorporated 104 new electric school buses across 27 school districts. Christopher Dean, the Director of Innovation for Dean Transportation, described this shift as innovative.
Dean Transportation coordinates transportation for Grand Rapids Public Schools and Kent Intermediate District. Both showed interest in converting to electric school buses, with the help of the 2023 Clean School Bus program funding.
However, transitioning to electric school buses isn’t without its hurdles, including mapping out logistics for EV charging.
For West Michigan, this means coordinating with Consumers Energy. “We’re still hammering out those details to figure out what how all this comes together with the grant funding,” stated Dean.
The grant funding totals 25 million, with 5.18 million going to GRPS and 3.08 going to Kent ISD, allowing for 15 electric school buses for both districts.
Other state recipients and their corresponding funding: Ann Arbor Public Schools – Four Buses, $800,000; Lansing Public Schools – Five buses, $1.73 million; Pellston Public Schools – One bus, $200,000, among others.
Although funding is secured, a lot of work remains to get the buses on the road. Yet, with any new initiative, it’s crucial to start somewhere, emphasized Dean.
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