CMS Will Rollout First Electric Bus This Fall

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will roll out their first electric school buses this upcoming school year. 

It’s part of the EPA’s Clean School Initiative.

The agency awarded grants to 15 schools in North Carolina to replace older school buses. CMS received $8.6 million dollars to do that.

In total, the district will be able to replace 52 buses. Officials say it will reduce annual air emissions and save more than 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

“We have the ability to change lives at this moment in time,” Mayor Vi Lyles said. “We have the ability to have clean air at this moment in time. We have the ability to change the disparities that we have in our community.”

In addition to eliminating carbon emissions, CMS said adding these buses helps the district meet equity and public health goals, as well.