New Hanover County Schools unveils first all-electric school bus

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Schools is bringing its first ever electric school bus to the county.

At Ashley High School on Tuesday, the county showed off its brand new all-electric school bus. The bus was funded through the Volkswagen Mitigation Plan and is part of phase one of the plan for School Bus Replacement Plan.  The bus is scheduled to be in use come December, but does not have a specific route. It will be used throughout the county to determine where it can be used efficiently. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Eddie Anderson says a new way of getting kids to and from school is here.

“So, now we’re happy to announce that not only are we going to get our  students to school safer, but we are going to do so in a manner that is more environmentally friendly; by reducing diesel emissions and green house gases.”

New Hanover County Schools says the new bus will offer enhanced driver comfort, increased safety features and improved total cost of ownership for the school district.

If a bus was to be purchased without the use of grants, the cost would be near $450,000.