Electric School Buses: Myths Versus Facts

Electric school buses may be one of the most misunderstood types of alt-fuel buses.  In many ways, they're the safest and cleanest of all the ways you could power a bus, but there is a lot of misinformation out there. Some of the myths used to be true, and some are outright fabrications, but they all may hold districts back from investing in a viable alt-energy system.

Don't Believe These Myths About Electric School Buses!

1. Electric Buses Are NOT Hard To Maintain

It's understandable that people might be worried about the maintenance of new technology. However, that is not really a concern with electric buses. Their actual construction and drive train are substantially simpler than traditional gas/diesel buses. They break down less often, and most of their components are easier to get to and replace. Chances are, you'd see less maintenance downtime with an electric bus.

2. Electric Buses Have PLENTY of Range

Another common misconception about electric school buses is that their range is too limited to be useful. This was true a decade ago, but today, the range of many electric buses can rival traditional engines. Only the largest and most sprawling of districts, such as those in the countryside, might still have concerns about the range of electric buses.

3. Training Drivers on Electric Buses Is NOT difficult

This is another example of a fear-of-new-things coming up. Some districts are concerned about the prospect of training their drivers on a new type of bus - but in reality, electric buses drive just like traditional models. If they're comfortable driving modern automatic-drive buses, they'll have no problem transitioning to an electric bus.

4. Electric School Buses Are NOT Too Expensive

It's true that electric buses are currently more expensive to purchase than traditional buses, but this is offset in several ways. First, electric buses are much cheaper to run on a day-to-day basis, so you'll quickly make back the difference in fuel cost savings as well as reduced maintenance. Also, there are numerous state and federal programs aimed at providing grants and rebates for investments into electric vehicles, which often more than offset the increased cost.

5. Electric Buses Are FINE in Difficult Weather

This one used to be true. Older models of electric buses often struggled in deep cold or didn't have the torque and traction to overcome icy roads. However, that's simply not the case. Modern electric school buses run at least as well as regular buses in inclement weather.

Have you heard any other untrue tales about electric school buses? Please share your experiences in the comments!