Zum, a leader in modern student transportation, has deployed the first all-electric school bus fleet in the U.S. for the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). This milestone makes OUSD the first major school district in the nation to transition entirely to electric buses.
The fleet, consisting of 74 buses, is equipped with cutting-edge vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, allowing the buses to return energy to the grid when not in use.
The fleet’s deployment is a significant step in reducing emissions and improving air quality in Oakland. It is expected to remove 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases annually,
READ MORE: GLS Completes 30,000 km Evaluation of Allison-Equipped Hyundai Hydrogen Truck in Germany
contributing to cleaner air for the community, particularly in areas disproportionately affected by pollution. The buses, managed by an AI-enabled Virtual Power Plant (VPP), will send 2.1 gigawatt hours of energy back to the grid each year.
Zum’s CEO, Ritu Narayan, emphasized the broader impact of the project, stating, “Electric school buses with V2G capability create cleaner transportation and send untapped energy from bus batteries back to the grid. It’s a win-win for children, families, schools, and drivers.”
The initiative was made possible through collaboration with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), which provided the necessary infrastructure upgrades to support the fleet’s bidirectional chargers.
Additional support came from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB), and other regional programs.
Zum aims to electrify 10,000 school buses nationwide, furthering its commitment to sustainable student transportation and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.
Source: Zum Launches Nation’s First 100% Electric School Bus Fleet in Oakland for 2024-2025 School Year
Subscribe today for the freshest car news delivered to your inbox
