As the push for more renewable energy development grows, consider the step taken by a school district in Fargo, North Dakota. An all-electric school bus.
The West Fargo Public School district received North Dakota’s first zero emissions electric bus, a Blue Bird Visision equipped with the Cummins PowerDrive System.
The bus, which can travel up to 120 miles between charges, will recharge at the district’s on-site charging station. It is designed to operate in a variety of environments, and offers comparable vehicle performance to a bus with a traditional internal combustion engine, yet requires no oil changes, fuel or air filters, transmission service or additional fluids. The bus can operate in temperatures as low as negative 20 degrees.
The Blue Bird electric school bus is 100 percent electric, emitting zero emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds or hydrocarbons; even heating the bus is done electrically.
“We’re estimating that we will save approximately 70 percent in energy costs and 70 to 80 percent in maintenance costs,” said Brad Redmond, West Fargo Public Schools’ transportation director. “By reducing costs and the impact on air quality, our Blue Bird electric bus benefits our community greatly.”
The school district purchased the bus with assistance from the North Dakota Department of Commerce through the state’s energy program. The Coalition for a Secure Energy Future and Cass County Electric — in conjunction with Minnkota Power Cooperative — also provided funding.
The school district operates 54 buses in its fleet. If provided additional grant money, the school district plans to add more electric vehicles.