North Dakota Clean Cities (NDCC) recently hosted a virtual webinar for school district directors across the state, providing valuable insights into electric school bus adoption. Featuring guest speakers Megan Langley (Strengthen ND) and Chad Brousseau (Cass County Electric Cooperative), the session covered key considerations for school districts exploring electric buses, including utility coordination, financing opportunities, and cold weather performance. Chad shared lessons learned from North Dakota’s first electric school bus, deployed in 2019 by West Fargo Public Schools. Key takeaways included:
- Importance of engaging utilities early for service planning
- Understanding charging infrastructure and contingency plans
- Cold weather strategies such as supplemental heating and battery insulation
- Leveraging federal and state funding opportunities
A new working paper from the World Resources Institute Electric School Bus Initiative, Electrifying Communities: How Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions Bridge Policy and Practice in The Electric School Bus Transition, highlights the work of NDCC and other coalitions in supporting school districts through education, outreach, and technical assistance. Findings from interviews with 29 Clean Cities and Communities coalitions include:
- Coalitions play an important role in helping districts navigate the transition to electric buses
- Local priorities and infrastructure gaps influence regional adoption rates
- Equity, community engagement, and policy alignment are essential for success
By addressing region-specific challenges and supporting school districts with tailored guidance, NDCC aims to help communities make informed decisions about clean transportation solutions.