AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District held a news conference Monday to announce its goal to transition its entire bus fleet from diesel to electric by 2035.
Austin ISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved the resolution last month, recognizing that the school district can protect children from the harmful effects of the diesel school bus
pollution by switching to electric buses.
AISD said an electric bus costs about $350,000, while current diesel buses cost about $100,000 per bus.
The district said electric buses require less maintenance and will save the district money.
The district is currently developing a pilot program to achieve this goal and will begin with three electric buses next school year.