Despite Some Who Want to Tap the Brakes, Electric School Buses Slowly Becoming a Reality

Kids are back in school across most of our listening area and many are still getting there on gas guzzling yellow school buses.

After 2027, New York will not allow public schools to purchase gasoline-powered buses, and entire fleets must run on batteries by 2035.

This mandate aligns with the state’s Climate Act goals to reduce greenhouse gasses and air pollution. The transition will be supported by over $500 million in Environmental Bond Act funding and a $5 billion federal allocation from the Environmental Protection Agency.

However, many school districts, including Monticello Central School District, have expressed concerns about feasibility, grid support, and costs.

Radio Catskill’s Chia-Tien Nicole Chen has this report on how local school districts and private school bus companies are responding to the state mandate.

Image: A new electric bus in Tarrytown’s school district (Credit: Tanya Savayan, The Journal News)