US school buses are going electric, in four charts | Hacker News Reader

US school buses are going electric, in four charts

canarymedia.com

17 pointsshallowbay16 comments

> The program has also focused on communities of color and districts with high levels of air pollution linked to diesel exhaust. Two-thirds of electric school buses funded by EPA rebates have gone to school districts the agency has identified as being majority communities of color [...]

I get why they would prioritise places with a lot of air pollution or old buses, but what is the incentive behind focusing deployment in districts with a majority of PoC ?

Addressing economic and social inequality. Plus it's a good PR move.

Yeah I was wondering if it was a PR move. Technically, it does put the focus on lower-wage districts indirectly so the result is similar. The fact that it's specifically aimed at communities with a majority of PoC left me the impression that I was missing some context element.

I don’t exacrty have a problem with it, but I’m surprised it’s not illegal, given that it’s explicitly racial discrimination.

> what is the incentive behind focusing deployment in districts with a majority of PoC ?

Um, because they vote Democrat, and that's whose in power.

Definitely a good application of EV, relatively short range, stop and go back to a central yard to recharge. Should save significant money on both fuel and maintenance compared to ICE versions over the lifetime without considering emissions.

And high mass is generally considered a safety benefit for school buses so heavy batteries aren't much of an issue.

In England many of the school buses are basically historic vehicles. They are the same vehicles that were used as service buses 40 years ago. Even a newer diesel vehicle would be cheaper to run, but they're only doing a few miles a week so they're not worth replacing. They will probably be the last buses to go electric.

Now you just need drivers.

Offering $24-$26/hr near me, still having a hard time finding folks.

Hours are bad and need a CDL. Nanny jobs pay better

Truth. Honestly surprised they haven't downsized to commuter/sprinter vans or similar where your typical DL will do without endorsements. Would widen the applicant pool and there just aren't as many kids as there used to be.

Hmm… is it about vehicle size or the fact you’re operating commercially? Naively I’d assume that I can’t start a bus company with a fleet of Honda Civics and hire people without CDLs?

IIRC it's based on vehicle weight and not use-case.

In the case of a school bus, it is both the vehicle rating and the use case. For personal use, no CDL is required for driving a school bus (if also owned for personal use).

The Rivian-built electric delivery vans Amazon is using in Seattle lately look like they would make a great short-bus chassis.

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