A Model for Climate Leadership: New York’s Transition to Electric School Buses

By Lily Hirschson

New York made history with its 2023 fiscal budget by becoming the first state to mandate a fully zero-emission school bus fleet. Starting in 2027, all new school buses purchased must be electric, and by 2035, all operating buses on the road must be zero-emission. This shift isn’t just about cutting down carbon emissions, but about cleaner air for kids and greater equity for disadvantaged communities. The transition has a clear focus on environmental justice communities. 

Unlike diesel engines, ESBs produce 0 tailpipe emissions, eliminating exposure to harmful pollutants like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, all of which lead to chronic health issues. These toxins often seep into bus cabins while the engine idles at a stop sign or red light, and in turn, harms students and drivers alike. In fact, asthma rates in New York have tripled over the past 30 years, affecting over 300,000 children. 

Asthma is the leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and missed school days. Transitioning to a fully electric school bus fleet would result in up to 159,000 avoided asthma attacks across New York State. 

Electric school buses are a powerful tool for advancing environmental justice. New York’s Climate Act recognizes that climate change and air pollution hit some communities harder than others. That’s why the transition to electric school buses prioritizes low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and students with disabilities – those that are most affected by decades of discriminatory practices in housing and transit development. It serves as a chance to bring cleaner air and healthier futures to the places where it’s needed most. 

To ensure these benefits, the transition to a fully electric school bus fleet must be equitable. That means prioritizing funding for the communities most affected by pollution and involving them in decision-making. This could take shape in a variety of ways, from deploying ESBs first on routes with the worst air quality to creating well-paid, protected jobs for workers from historically marginalized groups.

Electric school buses function as a source of clean energy, and not just for electric vehicles. By storing and redistributing power, they can support buildings, homes, and the greater electrical grid, helping to stabilize and reduce peak energy demand, store renewable power for later use, and provide backup electricity during emergencies. 

Despite their many benefits, electric school buses (ESBs) persistently face a variety of myths that hinder their implementation. One common concern is battery safety, yet ESBs are designed to meet globally recognized automotive safety standards and include robust safety mechanisms. Because of this, fires are extremely rare in electric school buses, and as it turns out, fossil-fuel-powered vehicles are 29 times more likely to catch fire. 

Another common myth is that ESBs can’t travel far enough on a single charge to complete their routes. In reality, electric school buses have a range of 100-300 miles per charge, which is more than enough to reliably cover typical school routes. Not only that, but ESBs charge incredibly fast, taking anywhere from 2-4.5 hours to fully recharge. 

Although people tend to think that electric school buses don’t operate well in cold weather, they are actually built to handle it with advanced battery thermal management systems. Even states like Michigan and Utah already use electric school buses without issues in freezing temperatures. Electric school buses are made with specific technology to operate in cold climates, including even weight distribution to improve traction in snow, insulated battery enclosures, smart energy management systems, and heat utilization to extend their range. 

NYLCV and the NYLCVEF are committed to achieving a fully electric school bus fleet by 2035 and meeting the Climate Act’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2050. NYLCV has already championed initiatives like Intro 455-A and has collaborated with partners like WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York to drive this transition forward. 

The shift to electric school buses is about more than clean means of transportation. It promotes environmental justice, health, and climate resilience, and it’s already underway.

Lily Hirschson, an undergraduate intern at the New York League of Conservation Voters since June 2025, is a second-year student at Skidmore College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and International Affairs.