Even though a federal program to help school districts buy electric school buses is on hold, some Sioux City School District students are beginning to ride on EV buses this week.
The district received almost $6 million for 15 new buses. It was part of a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that has been on hold since early last year, with a change in the presidency.
Tim Paul is the district’s Director of Operations and Maintenance. He admits there was some push back from some community members who aren’t fans of green energy.
“There was a lot of back and forth with it, but I think it's been the right decision. Time will tell. All this is new technology, but it's really a growing technology. I see it moving forward, especially in the, the city or the rural routes, maybe not so much, but the urban routes for sure,” Paul said.
The Environmental Law and Policy Center says at least 46 electric school buses have been funded by federal and state money for 16 school districts across Iowa.
The Clean School Bus Program provided $2.6 billion dollars to help schools nationally purchase zero-emission buses. The EPA says it’s reviewing the program under an executive order from the Trump administration to ensure tax dollars aren't wasted.
The district also has 15 EV charging stations.
As Doug Stewart, who oversees the Sioux City bus department, drives one of the district's new electric buses, he says the first thing you notice is the quiet ride.
"You don’t have the diesel motor, gasoline motor, or propane motor noise. Propanes are by far the loudest of the motors that we have. So all you have is the electric hum of the electric motor in the back, which is in the back by the tires, actually," Stewart said.
Sioux City Schools 15 EV buses are replacing older, less energy-efficient, diesel units. That’s about one-fourth of the overall bus fleet.
“It's much cleaner for the environment. It's a much better experience for the driver, I'd say, more comfortable. I think it's going to be a much better experience for the students as well," Stewart said.
