Authored by Aaron Wright, Electric School Bus Lead

The 2025 STN EXPO West brought together leaders from across the school transportation industry to share lessons learned, challenges, and opportunities as districts move toward cleaner, more efficient fleets. The conversations reflected both the maturation of electric school bus (ESB) technology and the real-world barriers that still need to be addressed.

Below are the major themes that emerged across sessions.

School Bus Electrification is Maturing—but Not Without Growing Pains

During the Green Bus Summit, panelists emphasized how far electrification has come in just a few years. Battery capacity improvements are expanding route possibilities, and lessons from early adopters are informing new deployments. Yet practical hurdles remain:

Charging strategies matter. Midday charging is essential for many districts, but panelists warned that Level 2 chargers are often insufficient in extreme climates with heavy HVAC loads. At the same time, districts voiced concerns around Level 3 DC fast chargers reliability challenges. Districts like Boulder Valley are finding success with higher-powered L2 charging (19.2 kW) for predictable midday top-offs.

Driver engagement is critical. Buy-in, training, and managing range anxiety were recurring themes. Driver behavior directly impacts range, and standardization of chargers and interfaces across a district improves both confidence and operational efficiency.

Regulatory gaps create inefficiencies. For example, in California, an ESB cannot be used as a “credential bus” for driver training, forcing districts to maintain diesel buses despite electrification mandates.

Fuel Choice is Still a Live Debate

The Blue Bird Green Bus Summit: Fuel of Choice session highlighted that while electrification is advancing, other alternative fuels still have strong constituencies:

• Drivers appreciate the quietness of propane and electric buses, while mechanics often favor propane or gasoline due to their familiarity with them.

• Districts reported fewer maintenance costs with electric compared to diesel, but propane remains attractive for ease of fueling.

• Manufacturers are still investing across fuels, with some leaning more heavily into electrification, while others stressed a broader portfolio.

Standards, Interoperability, and V2G

Standards and interoperability were consistent sticking points across multiple sessions. Ralph W. Troue’s session titled Creating School Bus Electrification Standards underscored the complexity of aligning 3,300 U.S. utilities with evolving SAE and UL requirements.

V2G and V2B: Perspectives varied widely. Some districts reported limited practicality and reliability of vehicle-to-grid, while others showcased successful pilots. A common theme was that V2B (vehicle-to-building) resiliency applications, powering facilities during outages, may be the more realistic near-term solution.

Adapters and flexibility: New adapters between J3400 and CCS promise more versatile charging options, but charger/bus interoperability challenges persist.

Utility Engagement is a Deciding Factor

Perhaps the most telling divide is between utilities. Districts described a spectrum:

• Engaged partners who actively fund and facilitate projects (e.g., Portland General Electric’s make-ready programs and V2G pilots).

• Receptive but passive utilities who participate only when prompted.

• Non-receptive utilities that slow progress with long timelines and limited support.

An example from Beaverton, OR showed just how decisive utility engagement can be. In Portland, collaboration enabled a $400k+ make-ready investment with shared costs.

Battery Technology and Market Trajectory

From Cummins’ Driving the Future panel, lithium-ion technology was reaffirmed as the backbone of ESB deployment for the foreseeable future. The panel anticipates energy density will continue to improve through 2029, though the point of diminishing returns is uncertain. Solid-state remains a long-term prospect rather than an imminent shift.

At the same time, manufacturers acknowledged EV fatigue in some markets and uncertainty around regulatory timelines.

Workforce Development and Training Gaps

Every OEM returned to one central challenge that the districts are also experiencing: finding and training a skilled workforce. Whether it’s certified technicians for new propulsion systems or drivers trained to maximize range, workforce development lags behind technology adoption. While resources like WRI’s Level 1–4 ESB Training Guidebook exist, implementation at scale remains inconsistent.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 STN Expo West highlighted both the progress and the uncertainties shaping the school transportation industry. Electric school buses are no longer experimental; they are real assets in fleets across the country. Yet deployment success hinges on practical factors: charging strategies, utility partnerships, driver and mechanic buy-in, and realistic expectations for V2G.

As one panelist put it, “We are still all in on electrification,” but the path forward will require flexibility, workforce development, and a willingness to balance innovation with operational realities.