Glades County School District Welcomes New, Modernized Electric School Buses
Glades County School District (GCSD) has introduced 13 electric school buses from Blue Bird (BLBD) for the 2024-2025 school year, replacing over half of its aging diesel fleet. The new buses, capable of carrying 77 students up to 120 miles per charge, feature air conditioning—a significant upgrade as only three buses previously offered this amenity.
The district received nearly $5 million through the EPA's Clean School Bus Rebate Program for this purchase. The electric buses are expected to generate substantial savings, with reported energy costs of 19 cents per mile compared to 79 cents for diesel buses. GCSD partnered with Highland Electric Fleets for electrification services and infrastructure support.
This initiative is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $5 billion program for clean school transportation, which has awarded nearly $3 billion to date, enabling over 1,300 school districts to replace diesel buses with nearly 9,000 electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.
Il Distretto Scolastico della Contea di Glades (GCSD) ha introdotto 13 autobus scolastici elettrici della Blue Bird (BLBD) per l'anno scolastico 2024-2025, sostituendo oltre metà della sua obsoleta flotta di autobus a diesel. I nuovi autobus, capaci di trasportare 77 studenti fino a 120 miglia con una carica, sono dotati di aria condizionata: un significativo miglioramento, dato che solo tre autobus precedentemente offrivano questo servizio.
Il distretto ha ricevuto quasi 5 milioni di dollari tramite il Programma di Rimborso per Autobus Scolastici Puliti dell'EPA per questo acquisto. Si prevede che gli autobus elettrici genereranno notevoli risparmi, con costi energetici segnalati di 19 centesimi per miglio rispetto ai 79 centesimi per gli autobus a diesel. GCSD ha collaborato con Highland Electric Fleets per i servizi di elettrificazione e supporto infrastrutturale.
Questa iniziativa fa parte del programma da 5 miliardi di dollari della Legge Bipartisan per le Infrastrutture per il trasporto scolastico pulito, che ha già assegnato quasi 3 miliardi di dollari, consentendo a oltre 1.300 distretti scolastici di sostituire gli autobus a diesel con quasi 9.000 veicoli elettrici e a ultra basse emissioni.
El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Glades (GCSD) ha introducido 13 autobuses escolares eléctricos de Blue Bird (BLBD) para el año escolar 2024-2025, reemplazando más de la mitad de su envejecida flota de diesel. Los nuevos autobuses, capaces de transportar a 77 estudiantes hasta 120 millas por carga, cuentan con aire acondicionado, una mejora significativa ya que solo tres autobuses ofrecían esta comodidad anteriormente.
El distrito recibió casi 5 millones de dólares a través del Programa de Reembolso de Autobuses Escolares Limpios de la EPA para esta compra. Se espera que los autobuses eléctricos generen ahorros considerables, con costos de energía reportados de 19 centavos por milla en comparación con 79 centavos para los autobuses diésel. GCSD se asoció con Highland Electric Fleets para servicios de electrificación y apoyo en infraestructura.
Esta iniciativa es parte del programa de 5 mil millones de dólares de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura para el transporte escolar limpio, que ha otorgado casi 3 mil millones de dólares hasta la fecha, permitiendo que más de 1,300 distritos escolares reemplacen autobuses diésel por casi 9,000 vehículos eléctricos y de ultra bajas emisiones.
글레이즈 카운티 교육구(GCSD)는 2024-2025 학년도에 블루버드(BLBD)의 전기학교 버스 13대를 도입하여 노후한 디젤 버스의 절반 이상을 교체하였습니다. 새로운 버스는 77명의 학생을 최대 120마일까지 운송할 수 있으며, 에어컨을 갖추고 있어 이전에 3대의 버스만이 이 시설을 제공했던 것에 비해 크게 개선되었습니다.
이 교육구는 이번 구매를 위해 EPA의 청정학교버스 리베이트 프로그램을 통해 거의 500만 달러를 받았습니다. 전기버스는 19센트의 에너지 비용이 발생하는 반면, 디젤 버스는 79센트가 소요되는 것으로 보고되며, 상당한 비용 절감이 예상됩니다. GCSD는 전기화 서비스 및 인프라 지원을 위해 하이랜드 일렉트릭 플릿(Hilghand Electric Fleets)와 협력하였습니다.
이번 이니셔티브는 청정학교 교통을 위한 50억 달러 규모의 양당적 인프라 법안 프로그램의 일환으로, 지금까지 거의 30억 달러가 배정되어 1,300개 이상의 교육구가 디젤 버스를 거의 9,000대의 전기 및 초저배출 차량으로 교체할 수 있게 되었습니다.
Le district scolaire du comté de Glades (GCSD) a introduit 13 autobus scolaires électriques de Blue Bird (BLBD) pour l'année scolaire 2024-2025, remplaçant plus de la moitié de sa flotte de vieux diesel. Les nouveaux autobus, capables de transporter 77 élèves jusqu'à 120 miles par charge, sont équipés de la climatisation, un véritable progrès puisque seuls trois autobus offraient auparavant ce service.
Le district a reçu près de 5 millions de dollars par le biais du Programme de remboursement pour autobus scolaires propres de l'EPA pour cet achat. Les autobus électriques devraient générer d'importantes économies, avec des coûts énergétiques de 19 cents par mile contre 79 cents pour les autobus diesel. GCSD s'est associé à Highland Electric Fleets pour des services d'électrification et un soutien infrastructurel.
Cette initiative fait partie du programme de 5 milliards de dollars de la loi bipartite sur les infrastructures pour le transport scolaire propre, qui a déjà attribué près de 3 milliards de dollars, permettant à plus de 1 300 districts scolaires de remplacer des autobus diesel par près de 9 000 véhicules électriques et à faibles émissions.
Der Schulbezirk Glades County (GCSD) hat für das Schuljahr 2024-2025 13 elektrische Schulbusse von Blue Bird (BLBD) eingeführt, um mehr als die Hälfte seiner veralteten Dieselflotte zu ersetzen. Die neuen Busse können bis zu 77 Schüler bis zu 120 Meilen pro Ladung befördern und sind mit Aircondition ausgestattet, was eine erhebliche Verbesserung darstellt, da zuvor nur drei Busse diese Annehmlichkeit boten.
Der Bezirk erhielt fast 5 Millionen Dollar über das Clean School Bus Rebate Program der EPA für diesen Kauf. Es wird erwartet, dass die elektrischen Busse erhebliche Einsparungen erzielen, da die Energiekosten mit 19 Cent pro Mile im Vergleich zu 79 Cent für Diesellbusse angegeben werden. GCSD hat sich mit Highland Electric Fleets für Elektrifizierungsdienstleistungen und Infrastrukturunterstützung zusammengetan.
Diese Initiative ist Teil des 5 Milliarden Dollar Programms des Bipartisan Infrastructure Law für sauberen Schultransport, das bisher fast 3 Milliarden Dollar bereitgestellt hat, wodurch mehr als 1.300 Schulbezirke die Möglichkeit erhalten haben, Dieselfahrzeuge durch nahezu 9.000 elektrische und ultra-niedrig emittierende Fahrzeuge zu ersetzen.
- Secured $5 million grant funding for fleet modernization
- Potential cost reduction from $0.79 to $0.19 per mile in operating costs
- Part of larger $5 billion federal clean transportation initiative
- None.
Insights
This deal marks a strategic win for Blue Bird , showcasing its dominance in the electric school bus sector. The $5 million EPA grant-funded contract represents more than just a single sale - it validates BLBD's market position and product quality. The EPA's Clean School Bus Program, with $5 billion in total funding and $3 billion already awarded, creates a robust pipeline for future growth.
The economics are particularly compelling: school districts can achieve up to
BLBD's unique position as the only U.S.-owned school bus manufacturer provides a significant competitive advantage, particularly with government-funded projects. The partnership with Highland Electric Fleets through their Electrification-as-a-Service model reduces barriers to adoption, potentially accelerating sales cycles and market penetration.
With over 2,000 electric buses already deployed and the EPA program targeting nearly 9,000 new clean vehicles, BLBD is well-positioned to capture a substantial share of this expanding market. This deal demonstrates the company's ability to execute on both technology leadership and sales strategy, while building valuable references for future contracts.
Electric buses provide students with a cleaner, healthier form of transportation, while also offering air conditioning for the first time to the majority of students
Blue Bird delivered 13 electric and air-conditioned school buses to
Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, supplied the 13 Type C Vision electric-powered school buses to GCSD. The company’s electric school buses generate no emissions and can carry approximately 77 students up to 120 miles on a single charge.
GCSD partnered with Highland Electric Fleets, the leading provider of Electrification-as-a-Service (EaaS) for school bus fleets in
"We're excited to celebrate the arrival of 13 new electric school buses in Glades County,” said Dr. Beth Barfield, Superintendent of
“We are thrilled to supply
“At Highland Electric Fleets, we’re proud to partner with
GCSD received a grant of nearly
Blue Bird is the only
GCSD purchased its advanced electric vehicles through Florida Transportation Systems, Inc., Blue Bird’s authorized school bus dealer in
About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer, and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
About
About Highland Electric Fleets
Highland Electric Fleets is the leading provider of electrification-as-a-service for school districts, governments, and fleet operators in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250130752784/en/
Media Contacts
Blue Bird
Julianne Barclay
TSN Communications
M: +1.267.934.5340
E: julianne@tsncommunications.com
Dr. Alice E. Barfield
Superintendent of Schools
E: Beth.Barfield@Glades-Schools.org
Highland Electric Fleets
Chris Orlando
PR Lead
Highland Electric Fleets
M: +1.508.468.9802
E: Chris.Orlando@highlandfleets.com
Source: Blue Bird Corporation
FAQ
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