Detroit Evening Report: Michigan schools will increase electric school buses in 2023

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Michigan schools will see more electric buses this year thanks to a grant by the Environmental Protection Agency.


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The Detroit News reports the EPA gave $54 million to 25 school districts to purchase nearly 140 electric school buses.

Last month, Dearborn Public Schools added one zero emission electric school bus, which seats 84 passengers and travels 120 miles on one charge. Traditional diesel fueled buses, which make up 90% of the fleet, expose children to higher levels of pollutants.

“Electric school buses help in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Today marks an important step as we start to evaluate this new technology,” Dearborn superintendent Glenn Maleyko said in a statement.

Swapping to electric buses also saves money at the pump — nearly 35 cents per gallon. The district qualifies for 18 more buses due to having 70% low-income families.

Another large chunk of the federal funding will go to the Pontiac School District and Jackson Public Schools.

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Author

  • Nargis Rahman
    Nargis Hakim Rahman is the Civic Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Rahman graduated from Wayne State University, where she was a part of the Journalism Institute of Media Diversity.