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Maple Valley board weighs electric buses, cautions on range and five-year commitment
Summary
The board reviewed a committee visit to Enderlin and preliminary estimates comparing electric and diesel school buses, noting a roughly $340,000 electric price (plus charging/battery costs), a 60-mile observed range, required five-year commitment and a recommendation to keep a diesel spare; delivery would take about 6–8 months if ordered by October.
At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Maple Valley School Board discussed a committee review of electric school buses and charging infrastructure gathered during a trip to Enderlin.
The board president summarized the committee’s findings, saying electric buses showed a real-world range nearer 60 miles under local conditions, with heater use and wet or snowy roads reducing range. The committee reported an electric bus price around $340,000 plus costs for a charging station and a battery component cited roughly as $20,000, while a comparable diesel bus was cited at about $140,000. The committee estimated roughly 40% savings on current fuel costs if the district switches to electric vehicles but emphasized upfront capital and infrastructure costs.
The president and committee noted that Maple Valley’s typical routes run about 42–47 miles, which could be compatible with a 60-mile range in many cases, but recommended retaining or sourcing at least one diesel spare bus because of range limitations and winter performance variability. The committee advised the board that a formal commitment likely would be required by October for a delivery window of about 6–8 months and that vendors had a five-year commitment condition for fleets.
Board members discussed practical implications including decommissioning or selling current buses on a one-to-one basis to offset costs and the potential need to purchase or retain a diesel backup. No formal purchase motion was made at the meeting; the board received the committee report and set no final procurement vote. The board also discussed related technology investments reported elsewhere at the meeting, such as new door fobs and network access-point upgrades.
The matter will return to the board for further consideration before any procurement decision; the board’s next substantive budget/tax hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11.
