Ontario is getting electric school buses to help fight climate change

Ontario will be getting new electric school buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative is funded by proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market, and the province is investing $8 million this year for the Electric School Bus Program.

“The electric school bus pilot is another way our government is doing its part to help fight climate change. This pilot program will help us better understand how electric school buses could operate across Ontario,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, in a release.

California and Quebec currently use electric school buses. Currently, there are only 100 school buses in use in North America.

A pilot program will run from December 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019.

School bus operators in the province can apply for funding to purchase an electric school bus. Applications must be submitted by October 13, 2017. Applicants will be chosen based on their experience in student transportation, ability to successfully deliver a pilot project, as well as their location in Ontario, and the size of their bus fleet.

“For many students in Ontario, the school day begins when they step on the bus in the morning and ends when it returns them home safely,” said Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education in a statement. “By adding electric school buses to our student transportation system, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give our students a healthier school experience from pick up to drop off.”

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