MDAQMD helped the Adelanto Elementary School District (AESD) secure more than $1 million in incentive funding to aid in the purchase of three new electric school buses.

Leveraging funding from the U.S. EPA's Targeted Airshed Grant program, MDAQMD granted $1,022,312 to AESD to purchase three 2023 Blue Bird buses. MDAQMD's contribution covered approximately 72% of the total cost of the vehicles.

Each of the three Blue Bird buses seats 78 passengers and has a 210KWh battery with a range of approximately 135 miles at full charge.

As part of the grant agreement, AESD surrendered for destruction two 2006 and one 2004 Thomas Built buses. 

The existing diesel school buses were owned by the AESD, a school district in San Bernardino County that serves students in the city of Adelanto and Victorville. The diesel school buses operated throughout the academic year to transport students to and from school related activities. The diesel buses operated the majority of the time in disadvantaged and low-income neighborhoods, and within an area classified as an 8-hour ozone severe non-attainment. On average, each diesel school bus operates 10,000-14,000 miles/year. Without a grant award the baseline school buses would continue to operate for the proceeding 10 years (possibly longer after an engine retrofit) in a severe ozone non-attainment area. The diesel school buses are mobile source emitters of NOx and PM with the highest level of exposure affecting children.

Total funding amount: $1,022,312

Emission reductions

*Expected outcomes and outputs

*Estimated emission reductions are calculated using the Carl Moyer Cost-Effectiveness Calculations as it pertains to locomotives.