The document discusses the Electric School Bus Initiative's efforts to address barriers to electric school bus adoption in order to electrify the entire US school bus fleet by 2030. The initiative works with multiple stakeholders like school districts, manufacturers, utilities, and policymakers. It aims to ensure an equitable transition by focusing on underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted by diesel pollution. The initiative provides tools, resources, and support to help school districts overcome challenges to adoption like higher upfront costs, limited staff capacity to learn new technologies, and infrastructure deployment issues. Recent tools developed include guides, explainers, studies, and materials to help districts through each stage of the transition process.

1. PHILLIP BURGOYNE-ALLEN
ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO
ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS ADOPTION
December 14, 2022

2. ABOUT WRI
WRI is a global
research organization
with over 1,400
experts working
across 60+ countries

3. • Partner with communities, school
districts, industry experts,
manufacturers, utilities, and policy
makers to transform and
electrify the school bus market
• Together, build unstoppable
momentum to electrify the entire
U.S. school bus fleet by 2030
• Ensure an equitable transition
by focusing on underserved
communities
ESBI AIM: ELECTRIFY THE ENTIRE U.S. FLEET BY 2030

4. Foundation: Equity, Communications,Engagement
Goal: An Equitable Transition to Electric SchoolBuses
Utilities &
Funding/
Financing
School
Districts Manufacturers
Federal &
State
Policymakers
Local
Communities
OUR VISION INVOLVES MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS

5. Electrification can accelerate decarbonization while bringing direct, tangible benefits to every
community in the U.S.
Improved health and
cognitive outcomes for
children
WHY ELECTRIFY THE U.S. SCHOOL BUS FLEET?
Cleaner air, especially in
high-pollutioncorridors and
communities of color
A tipping point for
MHD + electrification
New jobs in green
manufacturing
Enhanced resiliency and
renewables integration
with V2G
Reduced operating
expenses for
school districts

6. Historically disadvantaged communities, including communities of
color and low-income communities, face disproportionateimpacts
of diesel exhaust air pollution and climate change
Centering equity and thoroughly understanding the implications of our
work is the only way to help both the planet and people
The Electric School Bus Initiative is prioritizing roughly1,000
schooldistricts for our support based on household income, racial
demographics, air pollution and tribal status
WHY EQUITY FIRST?
Sources: EPA SocialVulnerability Report, Union of Concerned Scientists, Prioritizing Equity in Providing
Technical Assistance to Underserved School Districts

7. Higher
upfront
costs
Limited staff
capacity
Learningnew
technology
Infrastructure
deployment
How to
scale quickly
These disproportionatelyimpact
underserved communities
BARRIERS FACING ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS ADOPTION

8. Providing Tools and Resources
Cultivate and develop tools to understand
technology and create a roadmap
Highlighting Successful Case
Studies
Documenting and sharing success
stories with others
Exploring Financing Models
Understand and expand federal, state and
electric utility
funding options
Transition to
Electric
School Buses
Enhancing Local Partnerships
Work with existing and new partners to deepen
supportand promote an equitable transition
Mapping Stakeholders
Map and engage key stakeholders, from
parents to fleet managers
Supporting Operational and
Infrastructure Planning
Develop marketstudies, understand
charging needs and perform testing
HOW WE’RE HELPING ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES

9. Electric School Bus Funding
and Financing Opportunities
Highlight stories sharing key
learnings,bestpractices and
practical knowledge
Partner-oriented
strategic plans and
roadmapping assessments
District-readyinformational
and promotional materials
Step-by-step guide for school bus
electrification with accompanying
template roadmap
All About series of electric
school bus explainers
Electric school bus US Market
Study and Buyer’s Guide
Electric school bus Business
Models Guide
RECENT FREE ESB INITIATIVE TOOLS AND RESOURCES

10. OUR TOOLS CAN HELP AT EACH STAGE OF ESB ADOPTION
Source: WRI Step-by-Step Guide to School Bus Electrification

11. WHAT WE’RE HEARING FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Source: School District Learnings: 12 Tips on Electric School Bus Adoption
Foundation Setting
• Designate a project
manager
• Partner with local
groups to build
momentum
• Engage
communities early
• Stack funding
• Explore alternative
business models
Charging
Infrastructure +
Operations Planning
• Establish contact
immediately with
electric utility to
install now and plan
for the future
• Understand
additional
coordination
needed at leased
depots
• Discuss rate
structures
Procurement +
Installation
• Negotiate
warranties and
training and build
them into
RFP/purchase order
• Ensure
compatibility of
various system
components
• Utilize managed
charging
Testing, Training +
Deployment
• Train drivers to
adopt behaviors
that increase range
and efficiency
• Work with first
responders to
prepare for new
technology
Performance,
Benefits + Scaling
• Include plan for
monitoring, such as
telematics for data
and performance
tracking
• Get creative on
student
engagement,
including new
curricular options
For more information on all these topics, visit our website at ElectricSchoolBusInitiative.org!

12. THANK YOU
electricschoolbusinitiative.org
Twitter.com/ESBInitiative
Facebook.com/ESBInitiative
Phillip.Burgoyne-Allen@wri.org