TUSD is set to get 10 new 72-passenger electric buses through a combination of federal funds, a Tucson Electric Power rebate and bond money, the district says.

Tucson Unified School District is adding 10 electric buses to its fleet.

A nearly $4 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and an additional $1 million rebate from Tucson Electric Power will help the district cover the cost of 10 electric buses along with related infrastructure, TUSD said Wednesday in a news release. The effort was approved Tuesday night by the governing board.

β€œIt reflects our commitment to sustainability, safety, and fiscal responsibility in creating a cleaner, healthier environment for our students and community,” Charlotte Carter, TUSD’s bond program manager, said in the release. β€œThis pilot (program) also allows us to learn and test the buses in our specific conditions.”

TUSD is set to get 10 72-passenger electric buses, five chargers and a transformer along with infrastructure to support 10 additional electric buses in the future, the release said.

With bonds, grants and rebates the final cost to TUSD will be $1.2 million, the district says.


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