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Glades County School District (GCSD) has introduced 13 new electric school buses, bringing cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective student transportation to the district. These state-of-the-art buses not only reduce emissions but also mark a significant upgrade by providing air conditioning—an essential feature for students in Florida’s extreme heat. Until now, only three of the district’s buses offered this comfort.
Key Highlights:
- Fleet Upgrade: GCSD replaces over half of its aging diesel buses, some in operation for 25+ years.
- Clean Transportation: Blue Bird’s Type C Vision electric buses produce zero emissions and can travel up to 120 miles per charge while carrying 77 students.
- Lower Costs: Electric buses cost as little as 19 cents per mile in energy, compared to 79 cents per mile for diesel buses.
- Infrastructure Support: Highland Electric Fleets provided Electrification-as-a-Service (EaaS) to help GCSD transition to electric buses smoothly.
- EPA Funding: A $5 million grant from the Clean School Bus Rebate Program funded the new fleet, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $5 billion investment in clean school transportation.
Dr. Beth Barfield, Superintendent of Glades County School District, emphasized the impact of the new fleet:
“These state-of-the-art buses represent a significant advancement for our district, offering students a much more comfortable transportation experience in the extreme Florida heat.”
Brad Beauchamp, EV Product Segment Leader at Blue Bird Corporation, highlighted the benefits:
“Most Glades County students will enjoy clean and air-conditioned rides to and from school daily. We applaud the school district for investing in ‘clean & cool’ school buses, putting student health and comfort first.”
Duncan McIntyre, CEO of Highland Electric Fleets, added:
“This shift represents not just a technological upgrade, but an investment in student well-being. We are excited to help lead this transformation and deliver lasting value for both the district and its students.”
GCSD acquired the electric buses through Florida Transportation Systems, Inc., Blue Bird’s authorized dealer. The move underscores a growing nationwide effort to replace diesel buses with cleaner alternatives, with over 2,000 Blue Bird electric buses currently in operation.
For more details, visit Blue Bird Corporation, Glades County School District, or Highland Electric Fleets.
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