Madera Unified School District receives 5 all-electric school buses

For The Madera Tribune

Travis Ann Griffith, far left, and her transportation team shows off one of five new Type-D all-electric school buses received by Madera Unified School District.

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Madera Unified School District has received five new Type-D all-electric school buses with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities. The buses were funded by the California Energy Commission’s School Bus Replacement Program, which is helping schools throughout the state transition from old, polluting diesel school buses to zero- or low-emissions vehicles, improving children’s health by limiting their exposure to transportation-related air pollution and building the green economy.

The Blue Bird EV school buses were delivered to the MUSD Transportation Department by A-Z Bus Sales at the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year, but had not been unveiled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These electric buses are some of the first in the state with Type-D Vehicle-to-Grid capabilities and can charge with both standard AC or DC fast charge.

The V2G technology on the Blue Bird electric school bus creates opportunities for energy companies to “buy back” stored energy that the buses hold after a charge while providing the potential for microgrid services to power buildings or other power generating opportunities. The buses are capable of up to 120 miles of range and can be charged using a standard SAE J1772 Level 2 charger or CCS Type-1 DC fast charger.

“Our school district is excited to have received its first Electric Transit School Buses as it teams with A-Z Bus and the California Energy Commission in helping to reduce carbon emissions and pollution in the Central Valley,” said Travis Griffin, Director of Transportation at Madera Unified School District.

“School buses are by far the safest way for kids to get to school. But diesel-powered buses are not safe for kids’ developing lungs, which are particularly vulnerable to harmful air pollution. Making the transition to electric school buses that don’t emit pollution provides children and their communities with cleaner air and numerous public health benefits,” said Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan. “The Energy Commission is proud to support this transition to protect the health of children throughout the state, something that will help all Californians breathe easier.”