Rollout of 6 new electric buses kickstart Baldwin County School District’s green energy push

Eric Little, the Director of Transportation for the Baldwin County School District, says the purchases were made possible by the district receiving a $2 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Baldwin County School District is working to make transportation healthier for students and other community members.

The district has six new electric buses, which are now on the road. Eric Little, the Director of Transportation for the Baldwin County School District, says the new buses are helping the district cut down on air pollution.

“We’re not putting those contaminants in the environment,” Little said. ‘The students are not breathing in those diesel fumes or other fumes. It’s just a clean ride altogether for them.

Little says the buses cost around $375,000 to $380,000 each, more than two times the price tag of a traditional, diesel-powered bus. He says the purchases were made possible by the district receiving a $2 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program. According to the EPA, electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, eliminating pollutants that cause asthma, respiratory problems and premature death.

Yulanda Grant has driven school buses for more than three decades. She says the quiet sound of the electric buses is one of the many reasons she prefers them over traditional buses.

“Sometimes I have to recheck and make sure that it’s on,” Grant said. “But they are a smooth ride. It holds the capacity of my children. No one is in the aisle. No one is really touching each other. So, it’s just a great, great experience for me.” 

Grant says she brags about the electric buses to retired drivers who’ve never had the opportunity to transport students in them. She called it an honor to be among the county’s first drivers to transport students via electric bus, and most of all, is grateful for the school district’s dedication to healthy transportation.

“I’m very excited about what the county is doing to upgrade and keep the environment safe and clean,” Grant said. “And make sure that our children have a comfortable ride to and from school.” 

Little says the district will apply for the next round of Clean School Bus Program grants with the goal of acquiring 10 additional electric buses.