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Board approves purchase of two diesel buses amid EV range and repair concerns
Summary
Trustees approved buying two diesel school buses after staff reported several electric buses in the fleet with limited range, warranty/repair challenges and high annual mileage; trustees discussed charging infrastructure costs and legislative advocacy on EV mandates.
Trustees authorized the purchase of two diesel school buses after a detailed staff presentation on fleet condition and the district's operational needs.
Staff said the district currently operates a mix of electric and diesel buses but has experienced reliability and repair problems with some EVs, including one grant-funded electric bus that lacked a warranty because the manufacturer ceased operations. Annual mileage across routes and trips is about 51,000 miles, and staff said electric buses' effective range (often less than rated) and multi-hour charging windows prevent them from reliably covering longer routes and field trips. "Electric buses, while a great idea and 0 emissions, don't actually meet all of our needs," the superintendent said during discussion.
Given limited diesel inventory in California and the district's immediate operational needs, staff recommended purchasing two diesel buses; Trustee (speaker 10) moved approval, citing the district's constrained options and current EV limitations. The motion carried by voice vote. Staff noted they will spend down an earmarked bus fund of about $500,000 to make the purchase and continue advocacy with associations and legislators on EV policy and infrastructure timelines.
