Highland Electric Fleets, a school bus fleet Electrification-as-a-Service provider in North America, has partnered with Manassas City Public Schools to install six chargers and deploy 12 electric school buses in Virginia over a three-year period.
The district has secured three buses for 2023, three more for 2024, and an additional six buses for 2025.
The project will support the City of Manassas' target to reduce 50% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 80% by 2050, as part of the city's sustainability plan.
"The purchase of the electric buses supports our efforts towards a greener, more eco-friendly school transportation system," said Andy Hawkins, Executive Director of Finance & Operations at Manassas City Public Schools. "We look forward to monitoring the progress and impact of this initiative as we work with Highland to reduce our carbon footprint."
7,700 students and 60 drivers across Manassas City Public Schools will have access to cleaner air and more reliable transportation with the buses.
Highland's unique model of combining private capital with public funding helps reduce the upfront cost of upgrading to electric and makes it easier and affordable for school districts to transition their fleets to electric.
Highland procures the buses and charging equipment, electrifies the bus depot, trains bus drivers and mechanics, manages charging, and offers a charge-readiness guarantee for a 15-year contract at one fixed price equivalent to less than traditional diesel costs.
