WFPS Getting First Electric Bus with Assistance from Regional Agencies

At last night’s meeting, the School Board awarded bids to Hartley’s School Buses for the purchase of one Bluebird electric school bus for a net amount of $314,200. This will be the first all-electric school bus for the West Fargo

School District and the state of North Dakota.

The cost of an electric school bus is substantially higher than a traditional school bus. However, the district has received additional support from regional agencies to help offset the upfront costs. Funds to support the electric school bus project were provided by the following:

• North Dakota Department of Commerce through the State Energy Program – $70,000

• Coalition for a Secure Energy Future – $40,000

• Cass County Electric in conjunction with Minnkota Power Cooperative – $40,000

“The Coalition for a Secure Energy Future is proud to partner with West Fargo Public Schools and our industry supporters to purchase the state’s first electric powered school bus,” said Joel Johnson, Director for the Coalition for a Secure Energy Future. “The new bus will be powered by North Dakota’s homegrown energy of which two-thirds is clean lignite coal.

Advancing electric vehicles is a crucial initiative to help grow the region’s economy,” he added.