WHAT DOES YOUR DATA TELL YOU ? Another fundamental step is to audit the use of your existing buses . IC Bus ® dealers can help you analyze vehicle usage logs and / or telematics data to better understand the miles required from each bus per route and day , dwell time , downtime , topographical features ( hills , valleys , etc .) of each route , bell schedules and other variables that should be considered during the planning stage . Consideration of technology performance as well as operational requirements to meet bell schedules and allow for charge events should be assessed early on . The results of your equipment and route analyses will contribute to your likely next step – establishing a charging strategy . A charging strategy should be based on :
• Individual bus requirements , including daily routes and extended use ( after-school activities , etc .)
• Route lengths and operating environment , including external environment impacts
• Time between charges
• Fleet operations structure ( centralized / decentralized )
• Main power source ( current load / system capacity )
• Utility requirements for electrical upgrade ( including possible reimbursement )
• Need for scalability ( future expansion of fleet service area )
• IC Bus and its dealers can support this analysis to ensure successful adoption of ESBs . IC Bus and your charging company can provide comprehensive consulting , infrastructure planning and implementation services for school districts and other school bus operators .
THE CENTER OF IT ALL Besides the ESBs themselves , the biggest change most school bus operators will experience through electrification is in the bus garage , where they will need ample charging infrastructure to support fleet charging . The most complex and costly element of this phase is upgrading the power supply and installing all required high- and low-voltage cabling , charging equipment and backup power resources . As with any sizeable capital project , it is best to invest in the time and outside expertise to design a charging infrastructure that will meet your fleet ’ s needs for years to come . In navigating this step , you ’ ll need close collaboration between your fleet operations team , ESB supplier , charging system provider and , above all , your local utility . Together , these partners can help you assess the feasibility of converting / upgrading an existing facility to safely and effectively house and charge your ESBs . Include your utility as early in the planning process as possible so they understand your electrification goals and can identify and eliminate any power supply constraints . Additionally , they can help offset some of the costs associated with site upgrades with grants and incentive programs available in your area . Other areas of collaboration should include negotiating electric rates for your ESB fleet as well longer-term revenue opportunities associated with vehicle-to-grid ( V2G ) services .
VEHICLE SELECTION AND BUILD Soon after receiving grant approval , you will likely formalize the selection and purchase of your new ESB ( s ). In the ideal scenario , your ESB supplier would be the same company that has helped you navigate through each step of the planning process . When considering the vehicle manufacturer that best meets your needs , the following should be considered :
• Ensure the charger hardware , charger software , and vehicle are all compatible
• Ensure the battery specification and the battery capacity provides you with the “ true ” range considering operating environment and vehicle specifications
• With vehicle and hardware software important , ensure the platforms provide the necessary data for Fleet Management , Business Manager , and future reporting requirements The ESB manufacturer may help you achieve and maintain compliance with the requirements of state , federal and other grants , and incentive programs . When applying for a grant or incentive program , be sure to study and retain a copy of the program manual to understand the guidelines of the contract you are signing . These requirements might dictate the term of your ownership of each new ESB ( no less than five years , for example ) as well as how each bus may be used . Most grants and incentive programs will require some level of reporting . Discuss these guidelines and reporting needs with the ESB manufacturer to ensure ready access to the information you will need .
EXPERTISE AT EVERY STEP Your organization might already have put the early building blocks – vision , strategy , timeline , ESB partner , etc . – into place before applying for grants or incentive programs . Others might kick the planning process into gear only after the first grant or incentive program request has been approved . In each case , however , success will depend on the organization ’ s ability to find partners who can apply their expertise to help ease your journey to electrification . IC Bus works closely with school districts and other student transportation operators to identify emerging funding sources , including grants and incentives programs available for the purchase of new ESBs as well as certain infrastructure investments . As a reminder , if your district was awarded funding from round one of the EPA Rebate Program , the deadline to submit a payment request form , incorporating purchase order for the vehicle ( s ), plus eligible infrastructure is April 28 , 2023 . Reach out to any IC Bus dealer for assistance and to learn more .