Every year, BC school buses carry 110,000 kids,  approximately 33 million kilometers. 

Switching from diesel to electric will make those journeys healthier - for our kids and the planet. 

The good news is some BC students are already riding electric buses. In May 2021, Sooke School District on Vancouver Island became the first to run an electric school bus. As of Dec. 2021, 18 electric school buses were running in 13 school districts - that's 1,300 students benefitting from this cleaner, greener transportation.

34 more electric school buses started arriving in Jan. 2022, and should be running by the end of the 2021/22 school year.

Now we need more electric school buses, in all of our 64 school districts.

School bus services in BC

There are approximately 1,750 school buses in BC. Roughly two thirds of these are owned by school districts, and one third are owned by private contractors. School bus purchases are coordinated by the Association of School Transportation Services BC.

For district operators, the Ministry of Education funds the capital costs of student transportation services. The Ministry of Education approves funding for replacing school buses on an as needed basis. School boards decide which buses to purchase.

Each bus has a lifespan of 10-14 years, then it must be replaced. Typically, about 100 buses are replaced every year.

Finances & Funding

With 60% lower maintenance costs and 80% lower maintenance costs, electric buses can save operators money in the long run

A new electric school buses cost more than twice as much as diesel buses - but because electric buses have very few moving parts, maintenance costs are lower. So are 'fuel' costs, as electricity is cheaper than diesel. 

Grants are available through Clean BC's Go Electric School Bus Program for the majority of the cost, which can be applied for through the ASTSBC. The outstanding cost not covered by the grants (roughly $30-90,000) can be covered by districts or from a CIB low interest risk free loan.

Click here for details on available funding.

What to get involved? Here's to see how to get started in your district, 

or sign up for news on our campaign.