EV Ready Checklist: Your New Electric School Bus Fleet

Future school buses are just around the corner. With funding from the clean bus program, more and more campuses are upgrading their school bus fleets. They’re looking fornew electric-powered models that are quiet, sustainable, and budget-friendly. However, it can be overwhelming trying to think through everything needed for that electric bus transition. Which charging station? What fleet management software? So, let’s go through a four-step checklist for electric school buses. Get ready to feel confident with the charging stations and management system picked for your electric bus fleet.

1) Searching for Clean Bus Programs and Rebates

The very first step for offering an electric vehicle charging service on campus is to search for incentives and funding programs. EVs are a growing market, but it is still in the early stages of development. That means there’s more support for early developers of charging solutions for electric buses. North American students still get the iconic yellow school bus experience through electric fleets. Discover grants for school bus transportation, prepare your applications with expert advice, and install the best hardware to suit your needs.

For example, the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has millions of dollars in available funding for clean school bus models. Additionally, the program helps fund the EV bus chargers. There are other focused rebate programs that fund local districts, counties, or communities. Noodoe experts can help you find, apply for, and achieve such opportunities.

2) Purchasing School Buses

Doing your homework is always a good idea when you’re making a big decision. If you know what other people think, it helps you figure out what you need. When it’s time to upgrade your school bus fleet, you can start with a few electric buses before switching over completely. The clean bus money you got approved could go towards buying new buses from approved manufacturers, as well as the charging stations they need. Leading manufacturers, such as Thomas Built Buses, have years of experience with buses to develop sustainable electric-powered models. For example. the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is tested and compatible with Noodoe EV chargers

3) Electric Bus Charging Stations and Fleet Management System

What about the installation and management of the electric bus charging stations. Introducing new school bus models to your fleet means choosing an EV bus charger or chargers that suit budget, power capacity, and schedule needs. Funding requirements or approved clean bus program models can affect your final decision. AC chargers are smaller and have lower operating costs. They can also fully charge electric school buses over 5.5 – 11 hours (based on output/ battery capacity). Conversely, choose DC fast chargers for electric bus fleets that have shorter breaks between scheduled routes. A DC station can fully charge electric school buses over 1 – 4.5 hours (based on output/ battery capacity).

No matter your charging stations’ output, it’s important to futureproof your campus with smart chargers. This means stations that have the best management software. Noodoe EV OS can run self-diagnostics and repairs, track electricity usage of your fleet, and grant drivers access via QR code or RFID cards.

4) Looking After Your New Electric Fleet

Long-term low costs are a major factor in transitioning to electric school bus fleets that are efficient, futureproof, and the best choice for all users. Electric vehicles have fewer moving engine parts. So they simply don’t need the constant maintenance or expensive repairs of their diesel alternatives. Noodoe EV OS, your bus fleet management software system, performs automatic checks of the charging assets regularly. The self-repair feature takes care of problems without needing to send someone running to the parking lot every day. 

In short, drivers keep track of their own schedules for driving and charging while Noodoe takes care of the charging experience. It’s simply the easiest charging and management solution for electric buses.

The Bottom Line

Your buses are funded by a clean bus program and fully charged and managed by chargers and bus fleet management software from Noodoe. The pick-up/drop-off routes confirmed, and the new EV school day is ready to begin! Choose Noodoe as your partner in electric school bus charging. We equip you with the best EV bus charger, user-friendly fleet management software, and 24/7 support to get you planning, driving, charging, and beyond.