Electric School Buses Could Save U.S. $1.6B Annually in Health, Climate Benefits
A new study reveals that transitioning to electric school buses in the U.S. could bring substantial annual health and climate benefits, totaling an estimated $1.6 billion. The switch, which would eliminate diesel-burning school bus emissions, is particularly beneficial in densely populated areas and districts with older buses and vulnerable populations.
The greatest benefits are seen in cities with large bus fleets and significant air quality issues, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. While some cities like those in California and the northeast have started adopting electric school buses, no city has yet fully electrified their entire fleet. The transition is urgent, as diesel buses emit harmful pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income households.
The health impacts of diesel school bus emissions, measured by excess mortality due to PM2.5 exposure, account for a significant portion of the benefits. Electric school buses, on the other hand, produce zero tailpipe emissions and have the lowest greenhouse gas footprint. They also help combat climate change, with the climate impacts of diesel buses contributing to the overall benefits. Future research should consider additional health impacts, such as those related to nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these benefits.
The transition to electric school buses offers significant health and climate benefits across the U.S., with New York, California, Texas, and Florida seeing the most substantial gains. To maximize these benefits, funding should prioritize districts with high shares of vulnerable populations and outdated school buses. Urgent policy action is needed at local, state, and federal levels to support this transition and realize these potential savings.
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