Successful Electric School Bus Fleet Adoption Starts with the Right Partner
The right partner can help set school districts up for long-term success with electrification . That starts with charging .
By Mike Millar
The introduction of electric school buses ( ESBs ) into a school district ’ s fleet can seem like a daunting prospect . After all , fleet electrification represents a fundamentally new approach to vehicle procurement and management . Fortunately , when it comes to navigating the uncharted waters of ESBs , industry experts can help . IC Bus partners with school districts across the country to provide a turnkey process that includes consulting , developing a charging strategy , providing education about the design and construction of ESBs , implementing connectivity and telematics solutions to capture actionable ESB data , and minimizing environmental impact at every stage of ESB ownership . In other words , our mission is to help school bus fleets achieve zero emissions in the most practical and cost-efficient manner possible , no matter the size of the fleet . Regardless of the type of vehicles or use case , what fleets exploring vehicle electrification worry most about is range – and that ’ s no surprise . Range anxiety , or the fear that a vehicle ’ s battery will be depleted before the end of a trip , is a common concern . However , research shows that once an electric vehicle is purchased and in use , this fear invariably subsides . A recent survey from AAA found that 77 percent of Americans who experienced range anxiety prior to buying a batteryelectric vehicle reported “ less ” or “ no ” anxiety following their purchase . This technology works . The same applies to ESBs , as they represent an especially favorable application of electric vehicle technology . Because they are used for predictable , comparatively short routes , school buses are ideally suited to a predictable , efficient charging regimen , which should alleviate concerns about keeping ESBs powered up for timely availability and trouble-free use . The best charging strategy for a fleet depends on multiple factors , including :
• Individual bus requirements , such as battery capabilities , daily routes , and extended use ( after-school activities , etc .)
• Route lengths and operating environment
• Time between charges
• Fleet operations structure ( centralized / decentralized )
• Main power source ( current load / system capacity )
• Utility requirements for electrical upgrades ( including possible reimbursement )
• Scalability ( planned growth of fleet )
• Availability of a connected solution offering real-time monitoring of charging status , remote diagnostics , and other important benefits IC Bus works with charging partner InCharge Energy to help fleets develop a robust electrification approach , including both charging and infrastructure , which leverages fleet strengths and maximizes return on investment . As for equipment , the electric CE Series school bus from IC Bus is available with two battery pack options , 210kWh and 315kWh . These two options enable investment in an electric powertrain with the ideal range for each route and / or use . For an overnight charging regimen , we recommend a 30kW DC charger for each ESB , providing a mild charging rate ( 0 to 100 percent charge in approximately seven hours ) which will ensure vehicle availability each morning . We also recommend a 120 / 180 kW DC fast charger for every eight ESBs for quick battery “ top-off ” as needed , such as for buses used for after-school activities and those covering routes that require midday energy replenishment .
Before finalizing a charging strategy , fleets should conduct a thorough analysis of utility and infrastructure needs . IC Bus and InCharge Energy work closely with fleet operators to assess facility needs , taking into consideration current and recommended equipment plus estimates for installation and certification . We also work with districts throughout ESB adoption to establish an expanded charging infrastructure – often including older batteries – for the fleet to provide critical back-up power to charge vehicles during temporary grid outages . Additionally , fleets ’ combined battery storage capacities can be used to reduce energy costs by capturing and storing electricity during low demand / lower cost periods . This approach can be combined with solar technology to help reduce overall operating costs and CO2 footprint . There ’ s a lot to consider when exploring fleet electrification . But the benefits are impressive , and the right partners can – and should – help demystify the journey .
Mike Millar serves as lead , eMobility Marketing and Business Development , Navistar , Inc . Visit
www . icbus . com for more information .
22 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE . COM | JUNE 2022