School buses could go electric if NM advocates win over lawmakers

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Could the old, yellow diesel school bus be a thing of the past? Advocates for the groups NMVC Action Fund And Healthy Climate New Mexico advocated for electric school buses before the Legislature’s Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee.

“There is no mandate at all. What we are trying to do is pave the way, so to speak, for counties that choose to do this,” said Charles Goodmacher, policy advisor for Healthy Climate New Mexico.

In his presentation, he told lawmakers that going electric is a “win, win, win.” He said it keeps kids away from harmful chemicals in diesel, helps drivers concentrate because the buses are quieter, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. But how much will it cost to make the switch?

“The governor has issued an executive order that the state fleet of vehicles must be 100 percent turned over by 2035. I see no reason why we shouldn’t do the same for school district buses. Of course, money is a big factor,” Goodmacher said.

He said the cost of an electric school bus is about $420,000, compared to about $120,000 for a diesel bus. Chargers would also have to be purchased. Goodmacher said districts could save about $100,000 in fuel and maintenance costs in the long run.

“Electric school buses can not only save money for school districts, but they can also be a source of revenue,” he said. “To meet peak demand for power in the summer, the buses don’t run at all. So they collect the power at two or three in the morning, when it’s cheap, and sell it back to the utility in the afternoon and evening, when demand is highest, and the school district has an additional source of revenue.”

Lawmakers questioned how far electric buses could travel, how extreme weather conditions would affect the buses and whether drivers needed special training.

Advocates are now pushing for changes to the law that would allow districts to use federal funding to go electric before it runs out. According to the group, at least six New Mexico school districts, including Albuquerque Public Schools, have used EPA funding to get new, cleaner buses.

To date, the EPA has allocated approximately $3 billion to fund 8,500 school bus replacements at more than 1,000 schools across the country.