Electric School Buses: A Sustainable Power Source and Emergency Response Solution in California

The transition to electric school buses in California represents a critical step toward sustainability and resilience, particularly as power outages and electric grid instability increasingly challenge the state. Severe natural hazards impact the local energy supply and demand, including the distribution of electricity. Historical trends in electric system reliability highlight the urgency of adopting innovative solutions. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology emerges as a promising strategy, enabling electric school buses to not only transport students but also serve as distributed energy resources during outages. California currently operates 23,800 school buses, with only 2% being electric and 14% powered by compressed natural gas. This study examines the integration of electric school buses with V2G technology as a dual solution to transportation needs and grid support during emergency. It highlights the necessity of proactive policy adjustments to mandate V2G-ready infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced reliability in California’s energy system.