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Taconic Hills completes delivery of 10 electric buses funded by grants, staff cite charging software and maintenance challenges
Summary
The district received 10 electric buses funded largely by nearly $4 million in grants and $200,000 for infrastructure; staff described completed construction of charger pads but reported software integration and battery‑management issues being addressed with vendors.
District officials reported that construction of charging infrastructure is complete and that all 10 electric buses have been delivered under a grant-funded program, but they cautioned that operational issues remain as staff integrate charging software and complete vehicle diagnostics.
Officials said the district was awarded nearly $4 million for buses and about $200,000 for charging infrastructure. A district representative stated that the infrastructure costs were covered by EPA and state incentive programs and that, as presented, taxpayers would not bear the direct cost for buses or infrastructure.
Presenters described the charging construction (trenching, conduit and protective bollards) and said the last bus arrived this week, enabling the district to claim grant funds tied to completion deadlines. Staff reported driver training, first‑responder briefings and early run data showing some routes completed efficiently; one test run climbed local hills and returned with battery state-of-charge consistent with purchase claims.
At the same time, staff outlined technical challenges: the charger-vendor software (referred to as InControl/InCharge in the presentation) has required vendor coordination to support a continuous trickle charge for 12‑volt systems and to maintain battery thermal management when buses sit over weekends. Technicians ran diagnostics and identified a small number of buses that need battery‑pack or traction‑sensor work that must be done at the vendor shop; district staff emphasized those repairs will be handled under warranty.
Why it matters: The project demonstrates a funded transition to zero‑emission buses, but the district’s experience highlights the practical complexities of integrating new electric fleets (software compatibility, thermal management, maintenance rotations and demand‑charge electricity billing) before full rollout.
Board members asked about warranty terms and usage patterns; staff said warranty periods start on delivery and that the vendor has taken buses back to perform covered repairs. The district continues to collect route, temperature and energy data to refine deployment and estimate operating costs.
