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Atlanta Public Schools case study: depot redesign, modular chargers and networked access eased electric bus rollout
Summary
Atlanta Public Schools described building a new depot with level-2 and level-3 chargers, modular approaches to reduce trenching costs, ChargePoint network access and operational lessons (longest route 126 miles; drivers prefer EVs).
Atlanta Public Schools presented a multi-year case study to the PGCPS workgroup, detailing how one district designed a depot to host electric and propane buses and the operational practices that followed.
Anthony Ashley, senior director of fleet services for Atlanta Public Schools, described a 15-year planning process that culminated in the Northwest Transportation Center, built with sustainability and future expansion in mind. APS purchased 25 Lion electric buses and installed 11 dual-port ChargePoint CP6000 Level 2 chargers (19.2 kW each) and three Level 3 chargers for fast turnaround and emergencies. Ashley said the site also includes additional pedestals and conduit to allow relatively low-cost future expansion.
"EV bus drivers love EV buses. They tend to refer to them as their Cadillacs," Ashley told the committee, adding that drivers and students appreciate the quieter ride and improved vehicle performance. APS uses ChargePoint’s network features to allow buses to access chargers beyond the depot for field trips or shared events; drivers carry RFID cards to start charging sessions at public ChargePoint stations.
APS staff emphasized planning with utilities, modular hardware and site-level design decisions to lower construction costs. Panelists discussed options such as containerized, modular charging containers and above-ground conduit routes to avoid repeated trenching, and suggested running conduit and right-sized transformers during scheduled site work to reduce future costs. Ashley reported an operational longest route of about 126 miles and said most buses now return with 60–70% state of charge, enabling overnight charging with selective daytime top-offs for extra-duty trips.
Atlanta’s experience reinforced the earlier panel’s message: coordinated planning across utilities, operations, procurement and facilities — plus choices about modular infrastructure and networked chargers — can reduce both cost and operational risk for districts transitioning to electric buses.
