In January 2024, LWSD was granted $500,000 in funding from the federal Clean School Bus Act. This grant is specifically allocated for the acquisition of two electric buses. As per the stipulations, these electric buses are earmarked for use on our Title 1 school routes. While significant progress has been made, there remains substantial work to be done in establishing the necessary charging infrastructure. Our objective is to have these electric buses fully operational sometime during the 2024-25 school year. LWSD remains actively engaged in seeking grants and exploring funding opportunities that would help with the transition to electric buses. We are committed to advancing sustainable and environmentally conscious transportation options for our students and community.
Electric bus news
Lake Washington School District receives grant funding for two additional zero-emission buses
Redmond, Wash. - On Wednesday, May 29, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will receive funding for two new electric buses.
Read Moreabout Lake Washington School District receives grant funding for two additional zero-emission busesLake Washington School District receives grant funding for two zero-emission buses
Redmond, Wash. – On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will receive funding for two new electric buses and infrastructure to support them through the Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
Read Moreabout Lake Washington School District receives grant funding for two zero-emission busesFAQ
- How many buses are in the Lake Washington fleet?
- Does Lake Washington have any electric buses?
- Can old diesel buses be replaced with electric?
- How much do electric buses cost?
- Are there other ways to pay for new electric buses? What grants has the district applied for?
- Would the district save money by transitioning to electric buses?
- How is Lake Washington minimizing emissions in the meantime?
How many buses are in the Lake Washington fleet?
Lake Washington’s bus fleet includes 130 buses that are responsible for transporting approximately 7,450 students each day, traveling over 1,350,000 miles.
Does Lake Washington have any electric buses?
There are plans to introduce two electric buses to our fleet in the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, we have purchased 48low emission buses and retrofitted the rest to reduce emissions. We are eager to continue to grow our electric bus fleet.
As we plan the transition, it is important to keep in mind that electric buses may not be appropriate for every bus route. Distance and terrain can both impact battery performance, so diesel or alternative fuel buses may still be needed in some cases.
Can old diesel buses be replaced with electric?
Lake Washington replaces 6-10 buses each year, prioritizing the oldest and least efficient. New buses are paid for by the State’s bus depreciation fund, which provides enough to replace a retiring bus with an equivalent one. Because electric buses are more expensive than diesel buses, one-to-one replacement is not possible. It would take 64 years to replace the entire fleet at current funding levels.
We are encouraging our state representatives to increase funding and provide more grant opportunities.
How much do electric buses cost?
The average cost of a new Type C electric bus (which makes up the bulk of Lake Washington’s fleet) is $452,495, approximately three times the cost of the diesel alternative.
| Bus type | Electric price range | Diesel price range | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A34 (18-21 passengers) | $293,214-419,449 | $102,723-116,696 | $190,491-302,480 |
| C77 (81 passengers) | $389,092-515,897 | $144,914-171,864 | $244,178-344,033 |
| D84 (84 passengers) | $547,532 (only one manufacturer) | $168,122-198,870 | $348,662-379,410 |
*OSPI 2023-24 state quote specifications
Transitioning to an electric fleet will also require all new charging infrastructure which varies in cost based on the type of charger. Level 2 chargers are the least expensive option but can take between 5.5 and 13 hours to charge. Fast (DCFC) chargers cut the time from 1 to 4.5 hours, which is especially important for buses that may need to charge between before and after school routes.
Level 2 chargers (overnight charging) cost about $10,000-$30,000 per 1-3 charger(s). DC fast (between route) chargers cost about $50,000 per charger.
Are there other ways to pay for new electric buses? What grants has the district applied for?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington Department of Ecology, and Washington Department of Commerce have created grant and rebate programs to assist districts in transitioning their fleets. Lake Washington has received EPA funding to assist with the purchase of four electric buses and Department of Commerce infrastructure funding. We continue to pursue these and other opportunities when they become available.
| Funding agency | Program | Description of program | Date applied | Outcome | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA Department of Ecology | VW State Settlement (2018) | $12M grant program | 2018 | $180,000 award | Purchased 16 low-emission buses. |
| WA Department of Ecology | Electric School Bus Grant Program 2022 | $10M competitive grant program | 3/24/22 | Did not receive award | Ecology used K-12 school district Free Reduced Priced Lunch (FRPL) program percentages for the current school year to determine funding levels; LWSD was not a priority applicant. |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Clean School Bus Program-2022 Rebate | $965M rebate program | 8/17/22 | Did not receive rebate funding, put on waitlist | EPA prioritized low-income, rural and tribal applicants. Three awards in WA State recipients were Toppenish SD, South Whidbey SD, and Tekoa SD. |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Clean School Bus Program-2023 Grant | $400M competitive grant program | 8/22/23 | $500,000 award | Funding will assist with the purchase of two electric buses. |
| WA Department of Commerce | Electric Vehicle Charging Program | $64M competitive grant program | 12/1/23 | $17,000 | Funding will assist with the purchase and installation of four chargers at $50,000 apiece. |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Clean School Bus Program-2023 Rebate | $500M rebate program | 1/31/24 | $500M rebate | Funding will assist with the purchase of two electric buses. |
Would the district save money by transitioning to electric buses?
The upfront costs to purchase and install infrastructure would be significant. We believe pilot programs are needed to understand the true costs and savings of electric vehicles.
How is Lake Washington minimizing emissions in the meantime?
Lake Washington has had a successful emissions-reduction strategy underway for a number of years. With the assistance of a Washington Department of Ecology grant, Lake Washington purchased 16 low-emissions buses in 2018 – and 32 more since. These newer buses allow the district to minimize fuel usage and tailpipe emissions. The remaining fleet was retrofitted with particulate exhaust filtration to further reduce emissions.
The district has a 100% route efficiency rating from OSPI. We’ve invested in technology to help buses operate more efficiently, use GPS to analyze route efficiencyand train all drivers to avoid idling.
These measures have helped reduce 99% of overall fleet emissions.
