Henrico County Schools adds electric buses to fleet with $3.5 million EPA grant
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) is revving up its commitment to sustainability with the addition of new electric school buses to its fleet. This significant upgrade is made possible by a $3.45 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The county is swapping out 10 diesel buses for 10 electric ones to their 600-bus fleet. The grant will cover a substantial portion of the cost of the electric buses, which typically retail for around $430,000 each. With the EPA funding, HCPS will be able to significantly reduce the overall cost per bus. "This is our third time applying for this EPA grant," said Jim Ellis, HCPS Director of Pupil Transportation. "I guess the third time's the charm." Photo credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric FleetsPhoto credit: Highland Electric Fleets The electric buses look very similar to the diesel ones -- except without the noise, maintenance costs and gas prices. "The electric bus will obviously have no emissions. So that's one of the things that we're looking at as well as, you know, the cost savings of not having to buy the diesel fuel. We're trying to move away from that," Ellis said. The new electric buses will be housed at Varina High School and will be charged using a partnership with Dominion Energy. Drivers and mechanics will undergo specialized training to operate and maintain the electric vehicles. Seniority will determine who gets to drive the electric buses. "We are in very good shape this year as far as needing help driving buses," Ellis said. "I'm excited to try a new type of powered vehicle. And I think that our drivers will be excited to drive them." Ellis said the school district hopes to have students board the new electric buses on the first day of school in Fall 2025.
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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) is revving up its commitment to sustainability with the addition of new electric school buses to its fleet. This significant upgrade is made possible by a $3.45 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The county is swapping out 10 diesel buses for 10 electric ones to their 600-bus fleet.
The grant will cover a substantial portion of the cost of the electric buses, which typically retail for around $430,000 each. With the EPA funding, HCPS will be able to significantly reduce the overall cost per bus.
"This is our third time applying for this EPA grant," said Jim Ellis, HCPS Director of Pupil Transportation. "I guess the third time's the charm."
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
Photo credit: Highland Electric Fleets
The electric buses look very similar to the diesel ones -- except without the noise, maintenance costs and gas prices.
"The electric bus will obviously have no emissions. So that's one of the things that we're looking at as well as, you know, the cost savings of not having to buy the diesel fuel. We're trying to move away from that," Ellis said.
The new electric buses will be housed at Varina High School and will be charged using a partnership with Dominion Energy. Drivers and mechanics will undergo specialized training to operate and maintain the electric vehicles.
Seniority will determine who gets to drive the electric buses.
"We are in very good shape this year as far as needing help driving buses," Ellis said. "I'm excited to try a new type of powered vehicle. And I think that our drivers will be excited to drive them."
Ellis said the school district hopes to have students board the new electric buses on the first day of school in Fall 2025.
