Bus Electrification in Irvine Unified School District (IUSD)

Abstract

As the issue of human-driven climate change becomes more dire, it is imperative that all municipalities, including the city of Irvine in Orange County, California, address this issue head-on by formulating and implementing a viable clean energy infrastructure plan. This plan will help reduce Irvine’s total carbon footprint without negatively affecting certain stakeholders, particularly underrepresented groups and minorities. After careful consideration and research, we propose that implementing an alternative transportation method within the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), specifically a fleet of electric-powered buses, is a highly plausible and equitable clean energy initiative for Irvine. With Irvine Unified School District’s current fleet of about 80 fossil-fuel-powered buses in mind, we are proposing to completely substitute these buses with 80 electric-powered buses (California Air Resources Board, 2024). This proposed plan will ensure the cost-effective maintenance of daily transportation operations within IUSD. Reducing school districts’ carbon emissions is a necessary step in combating climate change globally. We have researched electric bus models and compatible electric charging stations that are highly reasonable when considering IUSD’s current budget constraints. We estimate that the total cost of this proposal will be $35 million USD, with the funds coming from IUSD’s annual budget, taxpayer funding from the City of Irvine, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If successfully approved and implemented, this clean energy initiative has the potential to be a model for all public school districts in the State of California to adopt.