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RSU 12 board told new electric bus is operational; district expects lower running costs with solar PPA
Summary
District staff reported the new electric bus is operational and will be used with students soon; fast chargers were purchased, the bus reports roughly a 120-mile range, and a January solar power purchase agreement was said to cut electricity costs to about $0.07 per kilowatt-hour.
RSU 12 staff told the board that the districts new electric school bus is now operational and will begin serving students soon.
A staff presenter said the vehicle is noticeably quieter than diesel buses and described it as "nice and quiet and not too smelly from diesel fuel." They said the district purchased faster chargers so the bus can be topped up in about an hour, making field trips and mid-day runs more feasible. The presenter cited an estimated 120-mile range but noted that cold weather can reduce battery performance and that the bus includes a battery-warming mechanism to improve morning starts.
Staff also said a solar power purchase agreement beginning in January will lower the electricity rate for charging to about $0.07 per kilowatt-hour, which they said will reduce the buss operating costs. The board did not take further action on procurement at this meeting.
