Rural Schools Face Challenges with California’s Electric Bus Mandate

California’s new law mandating electric school buses is creating significant challenges for rural districts, particularly in areas like San Diego County. As school districts prepare for a transition away from diesel buses, smaller rural areas are expressing concerns about the feasibility of the electric fleet, given their unique geographic and logistical challenges.

New Mandate and Its Implications

The legislation, enacted in 2023, requires local education agencies in California to purchase or contract zero-emission school buses starting in 2035. This mandate aims to improve children’s health and reduce environmental impact by phasing out diesel buses. While larger urban districts have largely welcomed the initiative, rural districts like the Julian Union High School District are apprehensive.

Bus driver Josue Arias, who navigates the winding roads of San Diego County, highlights the difficulties faced by rural districts. His district serves just over 100 students spread across more than 900 square miles with only two buses. “Those buses need to be reliable, and they need to last,” he noted, emphasizing the critical role these vehicles play in transportation.

Electric buses are not only more expensive—costing around $400,000 compared to $200,000 for diesel buses—but their range can be severely affected by mountainous terrain and extreme weather conditions. Recent models can travel between 120 and 150 miles on a single charge under ideal conditions, but that range is often insufficient for the long routes rural students travel.

Concerns from Rural Leaders

Local school leaders have voiced their concerns about the practicality of electric buses in their districts. For instance, Yvonne Fleet, the superintendent of Julian Union, expressed worries about the terrain and the operational challenges electric buses might face. “You’re waiting up to a year for your electric bus, and then find out that it may not work on the terrain,” said Melissa Krogh, executive secretary of the district.

Similarly, Patrick Keeley, superintendent of the Mountain Empire Unified School District, is cautious about the transition. He noted that his district, which spans over 600 miles of mountainous terrain, has not yet adopted electric buses due to financial challenges and concerns about student safety on remote roads.

Despite the apprehension among rural districts, some have begun to embrace electrification. The Vista Unified School District is leading the way by designing an almost entirely electric school, Bobier Elementary, which will operate off the grid. Assistant Superintendent Shawn Loescher stated that the district has significantly reduced its petroleum usage by 60 percent since 2003, while also investing in electric maintenance equipment.

Meanwhile, the largest district in San Diego, San Diego Unified, has already begun expanding its electric fleet, currently operating 13 electric buses and planning to add more through state and federal grants. Director of Transportation Gene Robinson remarked that the initial rollout allowed the district to learn without overwhelming their operations.

Despite the efforts of some districts, many rural areas remain skeptical about the rapid push towards electrification. Morgan Nugent, superintendent of the Fall River Joint Unified District, described the transition as a “headache,” particularly for longer routes that exceed the electric buses’ range. “Trying to force everything as quickly as they have tried doesn’t make sense,” he added.

As the state moves forward with its electrification goals, rural districts will need support to navigate the unique challenges they face. Serena Pelka, a policy advocate with the Climate Action Campaign, emphasized that solutions must be tailored to each district, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective in addressing local needs.

Ultimately, the push for electric school buses in California reflects a broader commitment to sustainability and health, but it also underscores the need for careful consideration of the diverse contexts in which these mandates will be implemented. As districts adapt to these changes, the hope is that technology will continue to evolve, making electrification more feasible for all schools.