Clean School Bus Drive 'N Ride

During Families for a Livable Climate’s recent Clean School Bus Drive ‘N Ride event in partnership with Moms Clean Air Force & Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, folks gathered around electric school buses at Harlow's Truck Center, at the Wye outside of Missoula. School district transportation managers, administrative staff, and bus drivers got to see the internal working of the buses, ask questions, and with the right license, take one for a spin! Even though these yellow International buses don't look much different than their diesel counterparts, the lack of fumes and quick engine was immediately noticeable. 

Interested in clean, fume-free buses for your school?

The EPA Clean School Bus Program application period is now OPEN! You must apply by January 31st, 2024. The easiest way to apply is to sign on to Harlow Truck Center’s International group application. It’s a simple process. Contact Saxton Soley at saxton.soley@goharlows.com for details.

Learn more about the Clean School Bus program:

There are countless benefits to these new electric school buses including the federal funding available to schools to add them to their fleets! Benefits include…

  • Electric school buses are vastly cheaper to operate and maintain.

    • The per-mile cost of running an EV bus has turned out to be 1/4 the cost of running a diesel bus for Havre Public Schools! 

  • Electric buses produce zero emissions, making for cleaner, healthier air for kids and drivers.

    • According to the EPA, children burn 50% more air than adults do and 24 million children in the US bus to school daily. Those children face a higher risk of respiratory problems and lung damage from diesel exhaust.

  • Electric buses handle hills, snow, and cold temperatures just as well—or better—than diesel buses!

Havre, Bigfork, Clinton, Fairfield, and Billings are currently the Montana school districts with new electric school buses -  thanks to recent funding opportunities. 

Watch past Federal Dollars for Montana Schools webinar recordings to hear about funding opportunities and success stories of Montana school districts who have championed solar, EV buses, and electric HVAC systems that save money, improve their students’ attendance, air quality and comfort. 

Be sure to also check out this great article from the Billings Gazette about the future of EVs in Montana.

 
 
Working Groups, Climate ResourcesSarah LundquistEvent Resources, Healthy Montana Schools