Electric School Bus Pilot Coming to Howard County, Maryland

Zero Emissions to Improve Air Quality

The Howard County Public School System plans to replace two diesel school buses with all-electric buses in a pilot program supported by a grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The two zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) school buses will help improve air quality as well as support students’ environmental education.

The pilot project cost of $812,377 is funded in part by a $494,377 grant from an MDE program supporting ZEV infrastructure projects. Other funding comes from MBG Enterprises, an HCPSS bus vendor, which will contribute the equivalent cost of two conventional school buses. BGE is furnishing the electric vehicle charging equipment and installation.

This program represents an essential first step toward use of more environmentally friendly vehicles, which are so important both for the wellness of our students and community, and the health of our environment.

HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano

Electric School Bus Research and Education

One electric school bus will transport students attending Wilde Lake Middle School, Maryland’s first net zero school building. Students will use the electric school buses for energy research and conservation projects.

BGE will collect and analyze data to monitor the vehicles’ energy use and to assess grid balancing and peak load reduction.

Electric school buses will lead to cleaner air, a lower cost of operations and a stronger and more reliable electric grid for students, families and the entire county.

Divesh Gupta, Director of Strategy, BGE Utility of the Future

Howard County Supports EV Charging

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions of County government operations 45 percent below 2010 levels by 2030 and to reach zero emissions by 2050.

The County has long been a supporter of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. On November 7, 2011, Howard County dedicated its first EV charging stations at their facility on Bendix Road. See: First Public Charging Stations in Howard County.

Howard County’s Office on Community Sustainability is currently collaborating with BGE to increase the number of EV charging stations the county. See: BGE Fast Chargers at Glenwood Library in Howard County.