Electric School Buses

In 2022, D65 received funding for one electric school bus for our Head Start Program. To learn more, visit this Northwestern Now article. 

In spring 2024, the US EPA Clean School Bus Program awarded STA (Positive Connections) with $12,187,254 for 32 all electric school buses for five school districts they're serving in Illinois and Wisconsin, including District 65. As part of the grant award, D65 students will be served by 10 electric school buses starting in the 2026-27 school year.

We are continuing to explore and apply for grant opportunities with our bus companies as we strive to continue expanding the number of electric school buses serving our D65 students.

D65’s school bus operator, STA (Positive Connections), was able to obtain 10 all-electric buses and associated charging infrastructure for Evanston/Skokie School District 65 utilizing a combination of Federal EPA fund (US EPA Clean School Bus Program) and Illinois state funds. This allows students in District 65 to have access to brand-new electric school buses as part of the fleet, avoiding exhaust fumes for our students and community. We are excited to add these new vehicles into the fleet and have been diligently focused on training our teams for success. 

Electric school buses improve air quality for students and eliminate harmful emissions. They also help create healthier communities and contribute to modern, sustainable transportation.

STA has experience working with these exact buses and charging infrastructure in other cities across the country. As part of the spring 2026 training and onboarding process, specific driver training sessions are being held at our terminals for those who will be driving these vehicles; special training for our maintenance teams for preventive maintenance, working on issues, and the vehicle charging process; training for all emergency response personnel, and all other team members who may come into contact with the new vehicles. After the training is complete, drivers will practice driving these buses before introducing them into service.

Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, school buses — electric, diesel, or otherwise — remain the safest form of student transportation. In addition to safety features specific to electric buses, the new electric buses include the same standard protection designed to keep students and drivers even safer. Some of these items include:

• Full Stability System: Helps prevent collisions, rollovers, and loss of control by using sensors and automatic braking support.
• Full-View Camera System: Gives drivers the right camera angle at the right moment (for example, while backing up or opening the door), improving visibility around the entire bus.
• LFP Battery Technology: For electric school buses specifically, the batteries use highly stable chemistry with an extremely low risk of overheating or thermal runaway.

Electric school buses are designed differently than other buses, so we work proactively to ensure emergency teams have the information resources to be prepared and know how best to interact with these vehicles in case of an emergency. As part of the rollout and onboarding process, we partner closely with local first and second responders, by offering customized training on electric bus design/safety systems and providing clear guidance on high-voltage components and shutdown procedures. This ensures police, fire, and EMS personnel have the information they need to respond safely and effectively.

Electric buses operate reliably in cold climates, and our district has planned carefully for winter conditions. Measures include:

• Battery preconditioning: Buses are warmed while charging so batteries start at the optimal temperature each morning.
• Efficient new heating systems: The PB11 model buses include improved onboard heaters.
• Optional auxiliary heaters: A small diesel-powered heater can provide extra cabin warmth without noticeably affecting battery range.
• Driver training: Drivers use the highest levels of regenerative braking, which returns energy to the battery even in cold weather.
• Smart route selection: Initial routes are chosen to ensure plenty of range even during the coldest months.

Electric school buses have already been successfully operated in colder regions, including nearby Chicago Heights.

Yes, some range reduction can be normal in winter. This happens because energy is needed to:

• Heat the passenger cabin
• Keep the high-voltage battery at its ideal operating temperature

However, our electric routes are intentionally planned to stay well within the buses’ winter performance range.

Yes — over time. Electric buses will initially be assigned to shorter routes to ensure a smooth rollout as drivers, mechanics, and transportation teams become more familiar with performance; buses will gradually be introduced to longer routes.

Electric buses generally have lower long-term preventive maintenance needs because they have fewer moving parts and require no engine oil, fuel lines, or exhaust system upkeep.

Advanced systems such as Full Stability can also help prevent incidents, reducing unexpected repairs and downtime. The Full Stability System helps prevent rollovers, collisions, and loss of control.

Electric buses produce no tailpipe emissions, which reduces students’ exposure to irritants that can affect breathing and comfort. A cleaner environment while boarding and disembarking from the bus and the on-board experience supports better long-term respiratory health. This not only benefits all students encountering the buses at the school each day, but also the greater community at large.

Research shows that:

• Students on electric buses breathe up to 16% less polluted air.
• Replacing just five diesel buses with electric reduces the risk of pediatric asthma for approximately 1,500 students.
• Cleaner rides mean healthier lungs and fewer triggers for asthma and respiratory issues.

Yes, electric school buses are four times quieter than traditional diesel buses.

This helps create a calmer, less stressful ride and allows drivers to better hear what’s happening around the bus. Studies have shown that student behavior is often improved when students are riding electric buses for these reasons.

Electric buses reduce air pollution not only for students, but also for entire neighborhoods — especially areas already disproportionately affected by poor air quality.

They also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution. Electric buses reduce noise and air quality around schools, loading zones, and neighborhoods around residential routes. They also provide students with a smoother, quieter, and comfortable daily ride.

Electric buses offer several advantages that improve the daily experience and safety of school bus drivers:

• Quieter operation leads to improved student behavior, which reduces distractions and allows the driver to maintain better focus on the road.
• Regenerative braking reduces driver fatigue by ensuring slowing and stopping is smoother and less physically demanding.
• Positive vehicle performance — including faster responsiveness and smoother acceleration — makes electric buses easier and more comfortable to operate than traditional diesel units.
• Lower cabin noise allows drivers to hear what’s happening inside and outside the bus more clearly, improving overall safety.
• Air quality benefits and customized training for the new technology.

These combined benefits help create a calmer, more controlled driving environment.

Regenerative braking captures energy when the bus slows down and sends it back to the battery.

The buses include three levels of regenerative braking, and drivers are trained to use the highest setting to maximize efficiency and extend vehicle range.