First Fairfax County Electric School Bus Arrives

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Today, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) accepted delivery of its first electric bus — one of eight funded by a grant from Dominion Energy. The remaining buses are expected to arrive at the end of the month.

“This is an exciting day for Fairfax County Public Schools. The arrival of our first electric bus sends a powerful message that our school system is committed to doing what it takes to protect our environment, enhance student health, and address the threat of climate change,” said Providence District School Board member Karl Frisch, a longtime proponent who was on hand for the arrival. “This is the first step in meeting the Joint Environmental Task Force’s recommendation that we transition our entire diesel bus fleet to fully electric by 2035.”

A Dominion Energy grant covers the difference in cost so that school districts pay no more for an electric bus than they would by replacing a diesel model. The required charging infrastructure has been installed and will be maintained by Dominion at the Stonecroft Transportation Center.

Electric school buses in FCPS will benefit not only the school division and its community but the entire national capital area as they will help reduce carbon emissions, serve as a resource for national emergency planning efforts, and provide stability and capacity to the grid by meeting increasing energy demands. These Thomas-built buses will join the current FCPS fleet of roughly 1,625 diesel buses and will help reduce operational and maintenance costs.

Staff, maintenance technician, and driver training will now take place and the buses will be tested before being assigned to routes transporting students in early to mid-April.

Frisch and Dranesville District Representative Elaine Tholen represent the School Board on the Joint Environmental Task Force.