Hingham Public Schools
Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham Public Schools
Hingham Public Schools celebrated the construction of their first electric school bus project. The switch from three diesel school buses to three electric school buses is projected to save the district $10,000–$20,000 each year while delivering quieter, cleaner rides for students.
The project will introduce three IC Type C electric school buses supplied by local dealer DeVivo and three Zerova 30kW chargers. Each bus is expected to travel roughly 11,000 miles per year once the fleet begins service in February 2026.
“Hingham is proud to take this important step forward in modernizing our school transportation. This project reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and improving the daily experience for our students and drivers.”
Kathryn Roberts
Superintendent of Hingham Schools
Events
We recently celebrated the launch of the electric school bus project with a groundbreaking ceremony!
Read the press coverage:
Hingham Public Schools to Break Ground on New Electric School Bus Project | PR Newswire
Massachusetts District Breaks Ground on New Electric School Bus Project | School Bus Fleet
Bus Talk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric bus structurally any different than a traditional bus?
No. Electric school buses are structurally identical to their traditional counterparts. They are built on the same chassis as diesel buses by many of the same manufacturers, including Blue Bird, Thomas Built Buses, and IC. Electric school buses meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
What are the health benefits of electric school buses?
Electric school buses eliminate student, driver, and community exposure to diesel fumes, which have been linked to childhood asthma, respiratory illnesses, and absenteeism.
How far can a fully-charged bus travel?
Depending on the model, a typical electric school bus can travel 100-120+ miles on a full charge. This range makes electric school buses suitable for more than 90% of all school bus routes in the United States. Electric school buses also have a regenerative braking mode that enables them to partially recharge while they’re being driven, which can help extend range.
What is vehicle-to-grid technology?
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows an electric school bus to both draw energy from the grid to charge its batteries, and discharge energy from its batteries back to the grid when the community needs it. This bi-directional charging infrastructure transforms an electric school bus into a valuable Distributed Energy Resource (DER) — effectively a large battery that utilities can draw on during periods of peak demand to reduce strain on the electric grid and make communities more resilient. Utilities with V2G programs pay for this extra power, which can help reduce the cost of electrification.