Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first school district in Georgia to transition all 25 of its daily bus routes to zero- and ultra-low-emission buses. This new fleet, consisting of electric and propane-powered buses, replaces traditional diesel buses, significantly improving air quality for students and the surrounding community while also lowering operating costs. Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), a leader in electric and low-emission school buses, provided 5 electric buses and 12 propane-powered buses to WCS. These electric buses produce zero emissions and can transport around 60 students for up to 130 miles on a single charge.
By switching to electric buses, WCS will significantly reduce operating expenses. The energy cost for electric buses is only about 19 cents per mile, compared to up to 79 cents per mile for diesel buses. This move also brings substantial savings in vehicle maintenance costs.
In addition to the electric buses, WCS is using Blue Bird’s propane-powered buses, which can carry 60 students up to 250 miles on a full tank of propane autogas. Propane buses emit 96% fewer harmful pollutants than their diesel counterparts, further enhancing the district’s environmental benefits.
The shift to propane buses also helps reduce the total cost of ownership for the fleet, with an estimated savings of up to $3,700 per bus annually compared to diesel buses. With 22 Blue Bird propane buses currently in operation, WCS is poised to save more than $1.2 million over the 15-year lifespan of its vehicles.
“We are proud to be among the first school districts in the nation to launch a fleet of all-electric and propane-powered school buses,” said Michelle Smith, superintendent of Wilkes County Schools. “Blue Bird’s zero- and ultra-low-emission school buses will not only help us create a healthier environment for our students and community but also significantly lower our operating costs. Together, we’ve turned our vision of sustainable student transportation into a reality.”
Albert Burleigh, Vice President of North America Bus Sales at Blue Bird, added, “We are delighted to supply Wilkes County Schools with our industry-leading electric and propane-powered school buses. Going forward, all 25 daily routes will exclusively feature zero- and ultra-low-emission buses, ensuring a healthier, safer ride for students and the community.”
To support the electric buses, Highland Electric Fleets, a leader in school bus fleet electrification, installed five Tellus charging stations. These chargers enable WCS to use overnight and downtime charging, ensuring the buses are always ready for use.
“We’re thrilled to support Wilkes County Schools in their transition to a fully clean school bus fleet,” said Duncan McIntyre, CEO of Highland Electric Fleets. “This investment in electric buses and charging infrastructure is an investment in healthier, more resilient communities, providing students with a safe and reliable ride to school.”
WCS received a $2,335,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Rebate Program to fund its fleet transition. This program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocates $5 billion over five years to support clean school bus transportation nationwide. Nearly $3 billion has already been awarded, enabling over 1,300 school districts to replace old diesel buses with nearly 9,000 electric and ultra-low-emission vehicles.
Blue Bird, the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer, leads the industry with over 2,000 electric-powered school buses in operation today. The company is also the only school bus manufacturer in the U.S. offering propane-powered buses. These buses are 90% cleaner than the most stringent EPA federal emission standards, and they exceed upcoming 2027 emission requirements.