Consumers Energy is working with 11 school districts in Michigan to electrify their bus fleet through PowerMIFleet. The announcement follows the news that district officials were awarded funds to implement over 50 electric school buses across the state.
"Consumers Energy is on the road to powering 1 million electric vehicles, including school buses, by 2030," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's Vice President of Customer Experience. "PowerMIFleet and our other programs help make EVs convenient and affordable, whether you're hitting the road for work or a vacation, whether you're starting out in the office parking lot or in your home driveway."
Pellston in Northern Michigan's Emmet County, the first district to add electric buses, unveiled four buses in April through a federal grant and reduced their bus operating costs by 45 cents a mile and saved over $1,300 in about a month. The company not only offered an allowance for charging stations but also looked after the electrical work of the buses.
"Having never been through the process before, electrification of our bus fleet seemed like a daunting task. I couldn't be more grateful for how easy Consumers Energy made the process with absolutely zero dollars out of our district's budget," said Stephen Seelye, Superintendent of Pellston Public Schools.
Consumers Energy is helping other districts such as Alcona, Au Gres-Sims, Beecher, Britton, Deerfield, Cadillac, Jackso, Homer, Hopkins, Pentwater, and Sand Creek.
