By Donald Gilpin

Two new electric school buses will be traveling the roads of Princeton, possibly as early as the summer of 2025, following the award of up to $620,000 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as part of a $15 million statewide program to help school districts transition to electric transportation.

The Princeton Public Schools (PPS) announced that the grant will also help to fund a fast-charging station for the electric vehicles. The station requires about six hours to fully charge both vehicles simultaneously, and each will be capable of traveling about 110 miles per charge. Once New Jersey has a program in place, this station will be able to send energy back to the grid during high-demand periods.

PPS Business Administrator Matthew Bouldin applauded the state’s contribution to the district’s sustainability efforts. “We believe governmental entities can and should take the lead in modeling sustainable practices, especially when we can achieve this within our fairly strict budgetary framework,” he said. “Programs like the NJDEP grant make sustainable choices attainable.”

On its Electric School Bus Grant Program web page the NJDEP notes, “Of the 21,700 school buses registered in New Jersey, over 99 percent run on fossil fuels. While providing vital transportation services, these buses negatively impact the health of students and residents of the communities in which they operate.” Electric school buses reduce or eliminate exhaust emissions, which are linked to asthma and other health risks.

“This initiative is a significant step toward reducing our community’s carbon footprint and improving air quality for Princeton,” said Jenny Ludmer, program manager for Sustainable Princeton, which works with the district on its sustainability efforts and partnered with PPS in developing the grant application. “These two buses will provide a quieter ride for students to and from school, and some cleaner air, thanks to the lack of tailpipe emissions.”

She went on to highlight the progress in electric transportation and to express optimism for future expansion. “Sustainable Princeton is proud to support the school district in seeking grants and opportunities to showcase the feasibility and benefits of electric transportation,” she said. “Assuming success with these two buses, we will continue to seek any other federal or state grants that could allow the district to expand its fleet of electric buses.”

The cost for two electric buses and a fast-charging station is just over $1 million, as opposed to about $276,000 for two gasoline-powered buses. The NJDEP grant, the proceeds from the sale of an older bus, and a $40,000 federal clean vehicle credit reduce the cost difference to $24,000, and with savings on fuel and maintenance, the district expects to recoup its investment in four to seven years.

Bouldin described the acquisition of electric buses as a “trial run,” and noted that PPS is open to the idea of expanding its electric fleet in the future, though the transition will be gradual since the current fleet is relatively new and school buses have a long service life.

This PPS sustainability initiative follows in the footsteps of Princeton University, which just over a year ago launched its new electric bus fleet. The Rick Bus Company, the district’s transportation contractor, has also begun this transition to electric, according to a PPS press release.

The press release further notes, “Princeton Public Schools’ commitment to sustainable practices not only supports environmental goals but also serves as a model for other school districts, showcasing how local entities can lead in creating a healthier, more sustainable future for students and the community.”