District reports fixes after electric school‑bus pilot revealed cold‑weather issues

Green Power Motor Company and Central Consolidated Schools staff reported on a state‑funded pilot of a type‑A electric school bus delivered in December, describing cold‑weather and high‑elevation challenges and the technical fixes the teams applied.

Mark Nestlin, Green Power project manager, said the December pilot was deliberately scheduled for northern New Mexico to test cold and elevation effects. "Pilot projects are for a reason — they're for us to learn," he told the board, and described two problems: morning cabin heating failures in single‑digit temperatures and battery packs too cold to accept a charge. Nestlin said engineers responded by modifying the HVAC and adding cabin heaters, and by switching to heated battery packs; those changes improved morning warm‑up and extended usable range, allowing the bus to add a midday route in testing.

District mechanic Cindy Theodore and driver feedback were central to the fixes. Theodore said the driver reported appreciating a quiet cabin on successful runs: "The quietness, you know, it's not the rattling and the big diesel engine and all that," she said, adding that the quiet environment improved some students’ comfort on the special‑needs route.

Green Power and district staff recommended improved, simplified driver and mechanic training covering charging procedures, child‑check protocols and charger operation. Nestlin said the vendor will revise training materials based on the district’s feedback before the next round of state pilots. The presenters also noted grant opportunities the state and federal programs are planning to fund vehicle purchases and charger infrastructure; they flagged a pending New Mexico state announcement for transportation electrification grants and federal rounds that will fund buses and infrastructure.

Board members asked about cost comparisons and operational implications. Green Power representatives provided sample figures: a full battery charge on the pilot bus was estimated to cost about $4.72 under local commercial rates (rough calculation using a 118 kWh pack and district commercial electricity rates), and staff noted long‑term fuel‑cost savings could be substantial in some scenarios if purchase and infrastructure grants are available. Representatives emphasized warranties (battery warranties commonly extend 12 years) and maintenance differences between electric and internal‑combustion powertrains.

Next steps: the vendor and district will compile a final pilot report with meter‑level charging cost data, a training plan for drivers and mechanics, and a summary of grant opportunities and infrastructure options. The board thanked staff for hosting the pilot and signaled interest in continuing to evaluate electrification where grants and operational suitability align.