More details are available about 15 new electric school buses Peoria Public Schools District 150 intends to purchase.
A nearly $6 million federal grant enabled PPS to purchase 15 new electric school buses. Energy solutions company Veregy submitted the grant proposal on the school district's behalf.
During Monday night's board of education meeting, District 150's Director of Transportation Joshua Collins presented details about the 15 electric buses the district plans to purchase. The details include proposed routes and model layouts from Lion Electric, an electric bus manufacturer.
Collins said the majority of the clean bus vehicles would be deployed in the 61605 and 61603 ZIP codes.
According to Michelle James, an account executive at Veregy, the proposal included hosting EV charging infrastructure at Richwoods High School. Charge stations, a backup generator, and roof-mounted solar panels are included in the infrastructure plan.
Veregy's infrastructure recommendations are estimated to cost more than $4.2 million. Despite that, James explained the district would save about $214,352 annually by investing in buses and infrastructure.
The next step of the process is for the board to work with Veregy on the contract and final scope of the project.
