By Sharon Aron Baron
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is about to take South Florida by storm with its latest addition to its fleet – electric school buses.
BCPS will be the first public school district in the area to roll out these zero-emission buses, showcasing them on Thursday at the transportation terminal in Pompano Beach.
The new electric buses will help BCPS transport 54,000 students throughout the county while lowering carbon emissions.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has awarded the District more than $14.8 million to purchase 60 zero-emission electric buses to replace older diesel school buses built in or before 2009.
In addition to the new buses, BCPS has partnered with FPL to install charging stations at each of its transportation terminals. FPL’s EVolution pilot program obtained a federal grant and will provide fast-charging infrastructure at six bus depots for all 60 electric buses to power up and be ready to pick up students.
BCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Earlean Smiley expressed excitement for the upcoming school year, stating, “When these electric buses hit Broward County roads in the 2023/24 school year, our District will be operating the largest fleet of electric buses in the state and, most significantly, taking an important step toward providing a healthier environment for all of us.”
FPL Vice President of Development Tim Oliver added, “These are the first electric school buses in FPL’s service area and represent the future of transportation that helps to make our communities more sustainable for generations to come. These buses will be charged by one of the cleanest electric grids in the country.”
Each electric bus is a standard 72-passenger vehicle that produces no emissions at the tailpipe and is quiet on the road. Not only will these buses help the environment, but they will also provide a more peaceful ride for students as they travel to and from school.
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