New wheels, cleaner air: How electric school buses are driving change

It looks like a school bus. It hauls kids like a school bus. But it sure doesn’t smell like a school bus! That’s because this bus is powered by electricity — not diesel. By pumping out zero emissions, electric school buses help make the air inside and outside the bus healthier for students, drivers, neighborhoods and all Oregonians. Cleaner rides mean cleaner air, and that’s something we can all get excited about.

Taurino C., a driver in the Beaverton school district.

“I feel pretty special getting to drive this electric school bus,” said Peter W., a Beaverton School District driver. “They have great performance and are incredibly quiet to operate. The kids love them, too!”

We’re proud to partner with Oregon school districts like Beaverton, Silver Falls and Salem-Keizer to help them transition to clean transportation. Through our Electric School Bus Fund and other grant opportunities, we’re helping districts electrify their fleets, curb greenhouse gas emissions and create a healthier future for their communities. The Electric School Bus Fund is made possible by the Oregon Clean Fuels Program via the Department of Environmental Quality.

Electric school buses are just one example of how PGE and local communities are partnering to make energy use smarter, more efficient and more resilient. Through programs like the Green Future Renewable Development Fund, we’re also supporting other small-scale renewable energy projects — like solar, micro-hydropower and battery storage — that serve schools, municipalities and community organizations across Oregon.

The Green Future Renewable Development Fund is supported by more than 225,000 renewable energy customers who choose to add a little extra to their energy bills each month. That support helps fund projects like electric school buses, solar arrays and battery storage systems that benefit local communities and schools.

Why electric school buses are a smart move

Choosing electric school buses isn’t just good for the environment — it’s a smart decision for schools, students and neighborhoods. Here’s why more districts are making the switch:

• Cleaner air: Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, improving air quality for students on board and people in surrounding communities.

• Lower costs: Compared to diesel buses, electric buses cost less to fuel and maintain over their lifetime, helping districts save money.

• Quieter rides: Students and drivers enjoy a smoother, quieter trip and neighborhoods benefit from less traffic noise.

Since 2019, PGE has helped award electric school buses to districts across our service area, fueling excitement for clean transportation and healthier communities. These new buses aren’t just a way to get kids from point A to point B — they’re a visible sign of progress toward Oregon’s clean energy goals.

How PGE is helping Oregon school districts electrify

Supporting the transition to electric transportation is an important part of PGE’s vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Through partnerships, grants and technical support, we’re helping Oregon school districts bring more electric buses onto the roads.

Over the last few years, our Electric School Bus Fund has helped districts like Beaverton, Reynolds, Newberg, Portland and Salem–Keizer add electric buses to their fleets. We’ve also celebrated milestones during National Drive Electric Week, highlighting the benefits of cleaner, quieter rides for students and communities alike.

In addition to providing funding, we work closely with schools to navigate the transition, from installing charging infrastructure to training transportation teams. It’s about making the shift to electric as simple and successful as possible.

Big wheels keep on turning — quietly

The yellow school bus is a symbol of childhood for so many of us. Today, that symbol is getting an electric upgrade and the impact reaches far beyond the bus stop.

We’re excited to keep partnering with local schools, transportation leaders and communities to drive toward a more resilient, affordable energy future — whether that’s through electric school buses or local renewable energy projects funded by customers like you.