Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, GHG Emissions  -  February 26, 2021

Southern California school district electrifies bus fleets

Ocean View School District in Oxnard, California announced on Feb. 25 that it has included four electric busses and power chargers to deliver reliable, clean transportation and save thousands of dollars by avoiding time-of-use rate charges.

“This groundbreaking project for the district marks a notable milestone on our journey to electrify our entire school bus fleet and reduce pollution in our community,” Ocean View School District Director of Transportation Bob Brown said in a statement. 

BTCPower provided the chargers and The Mobility House’s intelligent charging and energy management system, ChargePilot, will harmonize bus schedules, travel routes, battery life, and local utility rates to deliver reliable, clean transportation at the lowest cost to the district.

The school district is one of the first in Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Transport Program, which provided funding for new infrastructure such as upgrading the local transformer, adding a panel and meter, laying conduit and trenching, and providing a 50% rebate for the chargers.

The project was funded by the California Energy Commission and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. Southern California Edison provided electrical charging infrastructure.

“School buses are by far the safest way for kids to get to school. But diesel-powered buses are not safe for kids’ developing lungs, which are particularly vulnerable to harmful air pollution. Making the transition to electric school buses that don’t emit pollution provides children and their communities with cleaner air and numerous public health benefits,” Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan said in the statement. “The Energy Commission is proud to support this transition to protect the health of children throughout the state, something that will help all Californians breathe easier.”

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