THREE RIVERS, Mich. — Three Rivers is one of seven school districts in Michigan that will be adding electric school buses to its fleet.
The district is receiving two buses powered on four lithium batteries that will have a range of about 125 miles. Three Rivers is planning to use them on routes within the city, where buses often idle.
Kenny Schrader, the district’s transportation supervisor, says the electric buses are less expensive to maintain and reduces exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.
Officials are also hoping the buses can help in their students’ education.
“We are also looking to use these buses as part of our stem program, which is going to benefit our robotics team, our automotive team that participate in our CTE programs,” Schrader said. “So, we`re also looking at these buses to be a mobile classroom.”
Three Rivers expects to have their buses on the routes after the winter holiday break.
There are 17 buses being added statewide, including some at Zeeland and Kalamazoo Schools. They were purchased with money from Volkswagen in a settlement for violating the Clean Air Act.
