Merced schools are one step closer to powering buses exclusively with electricity

MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Merced City School District is 1 measurement person to powering its buses exclusively with electricity.

The territory announced Friday that it completed its Electric Vehicle Charger Infrastructure Project to supply afloat charging capableness for its increasing fleet of electrical schoolhouse buses.

The task took disconnected successful 2024, erstwhile the territory placed 10 electrical schoolhouse buses into work acknowledgment to a $4 cardinal assistance from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

According to MCSD, each electrical autobus costs astir $495,000.

An further $3.2 cardinal assistance allowed them to conception the supporting EV charging infrastructure, including 15 charging stations, 12 single-port (30 kW) and 3 dual-port (60 kW) chargers, and strategy enhancements designed to let for aboriginal enlargement without large operation costs.

The territory says the modulation volition importantly trim c emissions wrong the Merced assemblage and lend to a healthier, safer situation for students and families.

The task besides positions the territory to conscionable Executive Order N-79-20, which requires each schoolhouse autobus fleets successful California to modulation to zero-emission vehicles by 2035.