LOS ANGELES (CNS) - As part of Los Angeles Unified's goal to reduce its carbon footprint, the school district today announced the purchase of 10 additional all-electric school buses.
“Los Angeles Unified remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint,'' Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “A single electric bus will save more than $10,000 annually in lower maintenance costs as compared with a traditional diesel bus and reduce greenhouse gases by 54,000 pounds each year. It's great these electric buses will arrive in time to bring students to schools when they reopen.''
The district, which already has one such “magic'' electric school bus in its fleet, purchased the LionC buses from Canada-based Lion Electric. Each bus cost about $450,000, district officials said.
The buses can travel 155 miles on a single charge and have wheelchair lifts.
“LAUSD is possibly the most well-known school district in the United States, and we are pleased to have been chosen as a key partner in their journey toward zero-emission school bus operations,'' said Lion Electric founder and CEO Marc Bedard. “These all-electric buses signify the district's commitment to improving the local environment and the health of its communities, and we are confident that they will meet and exceed the expectations of the operators and students.''
The California Energy Commission's School Bus Replacement Program partially funded the purchase.
“We are always working to make Los Angeles Unified greener and more sustainable,'' Board President Kelly Gonez said. “These new buses will not only be better on the environment overall but will provide better air quality for our students and the bus drivers who ride them.''
Board member Scott M. Schmerelson said now is the time to take action on climate change.
“These all-electric buses will provide efficient and reliable transportation for all our students. I applaud the transportation services division for continuing the efforts to reduce Los Angeles Unified's carbon footprint, its fuel and maintenance costs in the short-term and long-term fleet plans as we continue to move toward the goal of achieving 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040,'' Schmerelson said.
Lion will provide support and training to LAUSD from its recently opened Experience Center in Alhambra. The buses are expected to be delivered in the spring.
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