With California’s mandate for 100 percent zero-emission school buses by 2035, Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) has added its first four electric buses to its fleet to start rolling out changes and meet the 2035 deadline set by Assembly Bill 579. Once California Highway Patrol inspections are passed and both drivers and staff receive training on how to operate the vehicles, the buses will be put to use between February and March.
The district received funding for the new buses through the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project and the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate, programs offering money to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions. Out of the four new buses, two will be driving around the Diamond Bar side of the district, while the other two will be in Walnut. According to WVUSD transportation coordinator Angel Chavez, electric buses have a regenerative battery, meaning that when they go uphill, they use more energy, but then rebuild it and gain battery power when going downhill.
“Drivers are going to learn how to use the battery efficiently [during the training], as well as how they won’t always have to use their brakes [since] they can just let it slow down and secure it,” Chavez said.
Because training is required before operating the buses, the supervisors and mechanics will first be trained by the company from which they are purchasing the buses, followed by training from the supervisors to the drivers. Even though there are only four new electric buses, all 15 bus drivers will receive training to prepare them for future buses being replaced on the fleet.
“[Out of the] four coming, I was blessed to get one of them, so I’m going to be driving the first one. I’ve driven a ton of electric vehicles, so I know how responsive they are and how the braking is better because they use those to generate the electricity,” bus driver Michael Stafford said. “I know that tech-wise, [it] is very up to date, with all of the nice switches, buttons, bright lights and with a perfect AC system, so the kids will love it.”
Along with the changes in the feel of the bus, the electric buses will reduce the number of noise complaints the district may experience from neighborhoods on bus routes. Due to how quiet the buses are, there will be an extra sound added for safety, though it will be much quieter than the sound from the gas-powered buses.
“I think that impacts [people] since in the morning, they are trying to sleep,” freshman Ty Su said. “I think it’d be more peaceful and quiet, because it’s a daily thing [for people in the surrounding neighborhoods]. Every day you have to run the bus, so it’d just be one small helpful thing.”
Before the buses can begin service, they are undergoing required inspections by the California Highway Patrol to ensure they meet all of the safety standards required. Once inspections are completed, training will take place, and the electric buses will replace the gas-powered ones while keeping the same routes.
“I’m really excited about the electric buses and to learn to use them,” Chavez said. “It’s a new experience. I love that part of the electric buses, [and how it’s] just something new, something good for the environment, students and for our community.”
