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Sachem board hears NYSERDA-funded study on converting buses to zero-emission, flags costs and operational limits
Summary
Consultants presented a NYSERDA-funded study showing Sachem's owned routes are technically viable for battery-electric buses but would require major infrastructure investment; board members raised concerns about battery life, long-distance trips, insurance and long-term replacement costs.
Consultants from Wendell presented a NYSERDA-funded fleet-electrification study to the Sachem Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 4, saying the district's 40 owned buses and contracted routes are technically capable of operating as zero-emission vehicles but that upfront infrastructure and vehicle costs would be substantial.
"There is a mandate from New York State, is mandating the transition to 0 emission vehicles," Adam Kaufman, project manager at Wendell, told the board, describing two key deadline windows: new bus purchases must be zero-emission beginning in 2027 (subject to limited waivers) and the state aims for full fleet conversion by 2035. Kaufman said NYSERDA paid for the study and that, for Sachem's owned-and-operated fleet, Wendell estimated a site charging capacity need of…
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