Transportation is the #1 source of carbon emissions in the U.S., and we’re committed to reducing it in our communities. So last year, we announced we would partner with local Virginia school districts as they replaced diesel buses in their fleets with electric models.

The first localities have been selected to help kick off the program by purchasing electric buses at the same price as diesel models. 50 buses will be deployed by early 2021, and we continue to explore ways to expand the program. This initiative will benefit our environment, our communities, and our schools. See more in our latest news release.

• Replacing one diesel bus can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54,000 pounds each year. That’s the equivalent of 3.75 pounds of carbon dioxide for every mile driven.
• The air quality inside a diesel bus is 5x worse than outside the bus.  Replacing a diesel bus with an electric bus significantly improves air quality for students inside the bus and for the communities we serve.

What is the goal of the electric school bus program?

We launched this nation-leading program to support Virginia school districts as they transition their school bus fleets from diesel to electric, which will improve air quality and the health of children in our communities. We’re also exploring the battery storage capabilities of electric school buses to study how they can enhance reliability on our electric grid.

What are the benefits for school districts?

Electric school buses are 60% less expensive to operate and maintain, which means that schools can invest more in students, teachers, and learning opportunities. The buses are also free of emissions, making the air in and around the bus cleaner and safer for students, teachers, and staff.

What are the benefits for Dominion Energy customers?

More battery storage means better grid reliability and the potential to add even more renewable resources.

What are some environmental benefits of electric school buses?

The largest source of greenhouse gases in the United States is transportation. By replacing one diesel school bus with an electric bus, 54,000 pounds of greenhouse gases are avoided per year.

When will the program launch?

The program will begin in early 2020 and all buses will be deployed by early 2021.

How does vehicle-to-grid technology work?

An electric school buses acts as a giant battery, storing energy until it is needed. When energy demands are high or if energy resources are intermittent, the batteries in electric school buses can provide power to the grid to help meet current demands. However, getting this technology up and running requires a smarter grid, which we are working to build, thanks to the Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018.

Who will pay for the cost to upgrade the buses? Will that impact customer bills?

Costs for the first phase of 50 buses will be covered by our base rate, which means no additional costs to customers.

How can school districts sign up for the program or get more details?

The application period for the first phase of the program is closed. For more information, please email us.

How were the first phase of school districts elected to participate?

Each application received from a school district located within our Virginia electric service territory was carefully considered, and we selected interested schools based, among other factors, on the value of the batteries to the local grid in the school district's area.

How long do the bus batteries last, and will they be recycled?

The electric batteries that power the buses are warrantied to last for the life of the bus itself, about 15 years. After that, they can be installed in buildings to provide on-site battery storage.

What is the range of the buses? Can they run a whole day without being charged?

A typical bus route is 30-40 miles in the morning and another 30-40 in the afternoon. The electric buses have a range between 100-135 miles, so a single charge is more than enough to run a daily route with additional mileage to spare.

How are schools able to pay for this?

School districts regularly replace buses in their fleet, so the funding for the replacements comes from their regular transportation budgets. Under the program, school districts will pay the same cost as they would to replace a regular diesel bus, and Dominion Energy will offset the additional cost for the electric school bus and related charging infrastructure.

For additional questions, please email us at ElectricSchoolBuses@dominionenergy.com.