New Jersey recently signed into law a significant commitment to electric school buses.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill that provides $45 million over three years to purchase zero-emission buses for school districts or bus contractors, according to NJspotlightnews.org. The article says that half of the money will be allocated to low-income urban or environmental justice communities.
Officials hope that the commitment will accelerate efforts to convert a fleet of 15,000 diesel buses to electric vehicles. The cost for such a transition is prohibitive – up to $400,000 for each vehicle compared to $150,000 for diesel buses.
The electric commitment is part of Murphy’s goal to transition from fossil fuels to 100 percent clean energy by mid-century. According to the article, transportation accounts for more than 40 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions.
Considered lagging behind other states in the electric bus transition, New Jersey’s latest commitment to electric buses nearly doubles the past investment. Previously, the state spent $24.5 million to purchase 77 zero-emission buses, which have yet to hit the road.
Dave Lubach is the managing editor, Facililty Market.
