Jackson Public Schools
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson Public Schools
Highland Electric Fleets announced its first school bus electrification contract in Michigan with Jackson Public Schools. The project includes 21 Type C Blue Bird electric school buses and 11 chargers. Jackson is the second-largest grant recipient in Michigan for the EPA’s Clean Bus School Rebate Program, and has one of the largest fleets in the county, safely transporting over 5,000 students to its 12 schools.
“Jackson Public Schools is excited about this opportunity to advance our fleet of buses. The electric buses and services will help to modernize our fleet and bring a safer, more efficient experience for our drivers, students and families.”
Jeff Beal
Jackson Public Schools Superintendent
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming electric school bus events at Jackson Public Schools. Please check back later for updates.
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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. These effects are often more severe in historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.
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.