[Shivetya]

Considering what school systems pay in fuel bills I am surprised there isn't more effort made at state if not national levels in the US to come up with an affordable if not subsidized by the Fed electric school bus.

It would eliminate the hazards of diesel/gasoline fumes for students; it has been measured that inside the parked bus actually can be worse than outside so many districts forbid parked buses from idling. Throw in the sheer amount of fuel used and they should recoup their costs. However I expect some to go the natural gas route as its known and cheaper.

[ams6110]

Our local school system looked into hybrid buses a few years ago. Amazingly they did a rather unbiased analysis and found that there was not a financial advantage to be realized and they stayed with conventional gasoline and diesel buses.

Natural gas is likely the cleaner but still practical compromise. Remember school buses are also used for things such as transporting athletic teams, bands, orchestras, etc. to events that are farther away than the range of an electric vehicle.

[jessaustin]

...events that are farther away than the range of an electric vehicle.

This would be a reason to have four or five conventional-fuel vehicles. 90% of most fleets could still be shorter-range.

[ensignavenger]

That would be an interesting analysis to see- any chance you could get a copy and post it?

"...school buses are also used for things such as transporting athletic teams, bands, orchestras, etc..."

I don't think many schools need their entire fleet to be able to transport students long distances. They could convert some, or maybe even most, of the buses to electric, depending on the circumstances.