How Electric School Buses Can Jumpstart the V2G Revolution
Electric vehicles are reshaping how we think about energy, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is at the forefront of this shift. The idea that vehicles can store and return energy to the electric grid is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s happening now. Among the best candidates for V2G? Electric school buses. These buses have large batteries, operate on predictable schedules, and spend significant time parked, making them ideal for providing stored energy when it’s needed most.
Electric school buses don’t run overnight, allowing them to charge when energy demand is low. During peak hours, they can return stored energy to the grid. In summer, when air conditioners strain the grid, idle school buses could provide backup power, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based peaker plants that drive up emissions.
V2G Technology can Provide Additional Capacity to Local Utilities
Highland Electric Fleets has already piloted vehicle-to-grid technology on electric school buses with promising results. Between 2021 and 2023, pilot V2G tests in Vermont and Massachusetts discharged over 17 MWh back to local utilities, generating revenue for school districts. With battery capacities between 150-300 kWh per bus, scaling this solution across the country could create a significant energy reserve benefiting the grid, communities, and schools alike.
A Novel Solution for Resilient Power Grids
V2G technology does more than ease grid congestion—it enables a cleaner, more resilient energy system. As renewables like solar and wind become more prevalent, energy storage will be critical to managing fluctuations in power generation. Meanwhile, the U.S. grid is aging, and demand is increasing, particularly with emerging technologies like AI. A nationwide fleet of V2G-enabled electric school buses could help bridge this gap.
Electric School Buses Serve as Batteries on Wheels
These buses also have the potential to serve as emergency power sources during outages or natural disasters, supplying energy to schools, hospitals, and shelters when it matters most. This “battery-on-wheels” concept makes electric school buses an asset beyond student transportation.
The potential for electric school buses to transform both transportation and energy is immense. A future where school buses don’t just transport students but also stabilize the grid, power communities, and reduce emissions is within reach. By embracing V2G technology, school districts, utilities, and local governments can lead the charge toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future, one bus at a time.
Learn more about V2G technology and its benefits here.
