LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho believes that replacing the district’s fleet of 1,300 school buses with zero-emission vehicles is not only the right investment but also the right decision at the right time.
By 2026, the bus yard in Sun Valley will undergo a transformation into a fully electric facility as one of the initial measures.
According to Daniel Kang, the Director of Transportation for LAUSD, the hub was previously filled with exhaust fumes. However, the district has made a switch from diesel to alternative fuels like propane and CNG to address this issue.
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“It’s a significantly cleaner environment now, but there is still progress to be made,” he emphasized. “Our goal is to eliminate exhaust fumes completely, not just minimize them.”
What You Need To Know
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- The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program dedicates $500 million to the purchase of electric school buses and infrastructure improvements to charge them
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- California has set a target of having all zero emission school bus fleets by 2035
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- This year, LAUSD put in a purchase order for 180 zero emission buses, which Superintendent Carvalho says will mean a reduction of 780,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year compared to diesel buses
- The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program hopes to fund the purchase of 1000 electric school buses statewide
-
-
- The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program dedicates $500 million to the purchase of electric school buses and infrastructure improvements to charge them
-
-
-
- California has set a target of having all zero emission school bus fleets by 2035
-
-
-
- This year, LAUSD put in a purchase order for 180 zero emission buses, which Superintendent Carvalho says will mean a reduction of 780,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year compared to diesel buses
-
-
- The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program hopes to fund the purchase of 1000 electric school buses statewide
The state also desires the same outcome.
California has recently introduced a program aimed at assisting schools in achieving their target of having all zero-emission school bus fleets by the year 2035. Under this initiative, the state plans to distribute a total of $500 million to schools to aid them in transitioning to cleaner and greener transportation options.
Districts have the opportunity to secure funding for the acquisition of new electric buses and the development of the necessary infrastructure to support them. This includes features like the installation of high-speed bidirectional chargers, such as the ones in Sun Valley. These chargers enable the district to not only recharge the buses efficiently but also sell any excess power generated by the buses back to LADWP at the end of the school day.
“At peak demand times, which usually occur in the late afternoon when families are at home and using multiple appliances or preparing dinner,” Kang explained, emphasizing that during this period, most of the buses are no longer in operation. “The excess battery power is then fed back into the grid, providing support to our local communities. Additionally, this serves as a source of revenue for the school district.”
The decision to select this yard was driven by several factors, with the primary one being their proximity to Sun Valley Magnet, their neighbor.
Kang pointed out that this is the sole bus yard located adjacent to a school.
(Spectrum News/Tara Lynn Wagner)
Tara Lynn Wagner, a photographer for Spectrum News, captured this stunning image.
As a school board member, Kelly Gonez is fully aware of this issue, and she anticipates that the electrification of the school’s fleet will have an immediate impact on students.
According to her explanation, students have been complaining about the strong odor of fuel that hampers their outdoor activities for quite some time now. However, she firmly believes that with the implementation of cleaner air measures, they will be able to witness a significant improvement in the air quality within their communities.
As a local resident of the valley, she highlights the fact that Sun Valley is confronted with various sources of pollution. It is situated between several freeways and is in close proximity to Hollywood Burbank Airport.
LAUSD has taken a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions by acquiring 180 zero-emission buses. Superintendent Carvalho emphasizes that these buses will have a substantial impact, resulting in a yearly reduction of 780,000 tons of carbon dioxide when compared to diesel buses.
Cleaner air leads to healthier air.
Yana Garcia, the Secretary for Environmental Protection at Cal EPA, emphasizes the vulnerability of children’s lungs to air pollution.
“They are still in the process of developing,” she explained. “When particulates become trapped, they have a greater effect on individuals with smaller lungs, such as children.”
Studies have revealed that it can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease, cancer, and asthma. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports that one out of every 11 children in LA County suffers from asthma.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution can be a significant issue in schools, particularly during pick-up times when buses and cars idle. This can create a “hot spot” for pollution, which can have detrimental effects on children, even when they are riding the bus.
According to Garcia, children may only spend less than 10% of their day on a bus, but the air pollution they are exposed to during that short period can actually make up a significant portion, around a third, of their total daily air pollution exposure.
Kang, who has a daughter with asthma, emphasizes the importance of having healthy kids as it leads to improved attendance.
According to the speaker, being healthy and present in school is crucial for optimal learning. He emphasizes that when students are in good health, they are more likely to be fully engaged in class and ready to absorb new knowledge.
According to him, electric buses are much quieter, which has led to calmer and quieter behavior from the kids, as reported by the drivers.
According to Kang, the reason why they are not speaking and competing with the engine is because they are not trying to speak above the noise levels.
Zero-emission buses come with a higher price tag compared to regular school buses, with each bus costing as much as $450,000. The objective of the Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program is to secure funding for the acquisition of 1,000 electric school buses across the state.
