Valley View Independent School District
Pharr, Texas
Valley View Independent School District
Valley View Independent School District is excited to add eight electric school buses to their fleet, in partnership with Thomas Built Buses and Highland. Valley View ISD is taking steps to reduce fuel and maintenance costs while lowering overall transportation expenses. The district estimates savings of up to 25% with the addition of the new buses.
In addition to long-term financial benefits, the buses provide immediate advantages for students, including cleaner air, a quieter ride, and air conditioning to keep them comfortable in the South Texas heat.
“Valley View ISD is proud to bring the first electric school buses to our community. This project helps us lower transportation costs while giving our students cleaner air to breathe. A healthier, quieter ride means they can arrive at school ready to learn.”
Monica Luna
Interim Superintendent, Valley View ISD
In the News
Valley View ISD recently unveiled their new electric school buses during a ribbon cutting ceremony.
See the Press Coverage:
Valley View ISD Celebrates Deployment of First Electric School Bus Fleet in South Texas | PR Newswire
Valley View ISD goes green with electric buses powered by a clean energy grant | KVEO (NBC)
Videos
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.