New Jersey Schools Roll Out Electric Bus Fleet To Slash Emissions

This week marked a shift in student transportation as four electric buses started service in Teaneck, Midland Park, and Ramsey schools. These zero-emission vehicles will cut fuel costs while stopping over 2 million pounds of exhaust from entering the air over the next 15 years.

"With the start of the new school year, these new buses are on their routes, picking up and dropping off school children safely and sustainably," said Tim Palomba, CEO of D&M Tours, according to Globe Newswire.

Built on Motiv Electric Trucks' EPIC 4 system with Van-Con's design, each vehicle cuts out 750 gallons of yearly gas use. The buses make their rounds from Paterson to nearby towns, plugging in at night at a central station.

Clean air matters most in this region, where breathing problems run high. In Passaic County, Paterson sees nearly two-thirds of asthma-related hospital visits despite having less than a third of the population. Young kids in the county face asthma at rates 65% above state levels.

This launch sets the stage for wider changes. "These four buses are the first four of a total of 29 electric school buses we are building with Motiv for districts and contractors across New Jersey," Jim Anderson, Van-Con Inc.'s President, stated.

State environmental officials backed the switch with funding support. Working with Vanore Electric, PSE&G, and Grid Link Inc., schools will save $100,000 per bus on gas and fixes compared to old diesel models.

The public can see these buses at a launch event set for Oct. 28, starting at 11 a.m. D&M Tours will host at their 20 Shady St. spot in Paterson.