Highland Electric Fleets, a provider of school bus fleet electrification as a service, is partnering with Baltimore City Public Schools to deploy 20 Type C electric school buses from IC Bus and 5 Type A buses from Collins Bus. The project also includes the installation of 25 chargers.

As an EPA Clean School Bus Program priority district, City Schools worked with Highland to apply for public funding, and received $9,425,000 to bring e-buses to historically marginalized Baltimore communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.

The 25 buses, delivered through K. Neal Truck & Bus Center, will serve an initial group of about 350 students, including students with special education needs.

By combining private capital with public funding, Highland says it was able to eliminate the upfront cost of upgrading to electric buses. Highland will procure the buses and charging equipment, electrify the bus depot, cover electricity, maintenance and labor costs, train bus drivers and mechanics, manage charging, and offer a charge-readiness guarantee for the duration of the 12-year contract—all for less than the district spends to operate diesel buses.

“We were able to embrace this innovation in student transportation as a result of partnerships like the one we have with Highland,” said Baltimore City Public Schools COO Lynette Washington. “They have been a great partner in helping us develop and launch our electric bus program.”

“Highland has become the go-to partner for making more equitable, cleaner student transportation a reality for the communities that need it most,” said Duncan McIntyre, CEO and founder of Highland Electric Fleets.

Source: Highland Electric Fleets