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With our children back at school again, it’s a good time to talk about school buses. You may have seen some new electric models taking the kids to and from school - great news for their health and for the environment! But you may also be hearing some mis-truths and half-truths about electric school buses.
So let’s set the record straight with some trustworthy data and sources.
Myth 1: “Electric school buses cost too much.”
At the point of purchase, an electric model costs more than its diesel counterpart: about $400,000* (before subsidies), compared to $150,000. But the long-term savings are considerable. Over a 12-year lifespan, an electric school bus generates savings of nearly $202,000 in fuel and maintenance costs (just over half the purchase price!).
* Price based on a Type C long-range bus
Myth 2: “Electric school buses pollute more than diesel buses.”
In Quebec, from manufacture to end of life, an electric school bus is 12 times less polluting than a diesel school bus, allowing for a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
As for electric buses that use fuel-powered heating systems (though the heater is not always on), they pollute much less than diesel buses.
Myth 3: “Quebec has always had diesel school buses and they haven’t harmed the thousands of children who rode them.“
Children who ride in diesel school buses are exposed to polluted air, which can raise the risk of developing cancer and asthma, and can lead to learning difficulties and memory disorders. Even over a short period, this exposure can have serious consequences on brain function. In Canada, vehicles are the primary cause of air pollution, which causes the premature death of 15,300 people a year.
Myth 4: “The charging station is very expensive.“
Installing a charging station for an electric bus may seem expensive ($10,000-$60,000), but there are subsidies that can cover 50-75% of the cost.
The $10,000 station ($2,500 after subsidies) is largely sufficient to recharge a large proportion of electric school buses between periods of use.
Myth 5: “Electric school buses don’t have sufficient range for many regions.”
New models have a range of up to 250 km*. And though it varies by region, Quebec school buses on average travel less than 100 km per day. Also, as new electric school bus models are introduced, their range continues to increase.
* Based on a Lion electric school bus model
Myth 6: “School bus electrification could cost taxpayers $4 billion.”
It would in fact cost about $1.8 billion to electrify Quebec’s 11,500 school buses. However, by boosting the production of electric school buses in the province, school bus electrification could also generate $50-100 million a year in Quebec.
It could also reduce health care costs from less air pollution. If 65% of Quebec's school buses are electrified by 2030, the reduction in air pollution could generate savings of some $1 million in health care costs.
Myth 7: “Families are having to drive their kids to school themselves, due to electric school buses’ lack of range.”
This has absolutely nothing to do with electric buses! It’s rather due to the Canada-wide shortage of school bus drivers.
Myth 8: “The government is forcing school bus drivers to use old buses that are out of service because of delays in getting their electric buses.”
Carriers that have ordered an electric bus have been allowed to continue to use their diesel bus (under certain conditions), for 14 years (which is two years past the usual limit for the life of a bus), subject to a technical inspection of the bus by the SAAQ. This is pending delivery of their new electric bus, which can take up to two years because of the very high demand.
In short, school bus electrification is not without its challenges, but it offers a wealth of opportunities. We love our children and it stands to reason that the bus they ride to school shouldn’t harm their health, or their future.
