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Maryland’s Bold Leap: The Largest Electric School Bus Fleet in the U.S.

Maryland leads the nation—transitioning its school bus fleets to all-electric, cleaner, and healthier student transportation.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Maryland leads the nation—transitioning its school bus fleets to all-electric, cleaner, and healthier student transportation.

Maryland Sets the Pace: Pioneering America’s Largest Electric School Bus Fleet

In a significant move toward cleaner air and a healthier climate, Maryland has made headlines by deploying the nation’s largest electric school bus fleet. The shift, led by Montgomery County and reinforced by comprehensive state investment, is transforming student transportation—cutting emissions, reducing costs, and setting a standard for sustainable policy action across the United States.

This in-depth look explores the size and scope of Maryland’s electric bus rollout, the economic and environmental benefits, the policy drivers behind the transition, and the broader impacts on health and communities statewide.

Background: Why Electrify School Fleets?
Montgomery County: Leading the Nation
Statewide Support: $12M Investment in Electric Buses
Economic & Environmental Impacts
Public Health and Equity
Technology and Infrastructure
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Frequently Asked Questions

Background: Why Electrify School Fleets?

Each day, American students rely on a vast fleet of nearly half a million school buses—most of them powered by diesel engines. While diesel buses have long been the staple of student transportation, mounting evidence has highlighted their significant impact on air pollution, climate change, and children’s health.

Diesel exhaust produces toxic compounds, contributing to respiratory diseases, asthma, and even cancer risks for children who are especially vulnerable to air quality issues.
The burning of diesel fuel also exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions, contributing significantly to regional and global climate warming.
Electrification promises to address both issues—eliminating direct tailpipe emissions and dramatically reducing fuel-related operating costs for districts.

Montgomery County: Leading the Nation in School Bus Electrification

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), one of the nation’s largest school districts, has become a trailblazer by commissioning the largest fleet of electric school buses in the United States . Their electrification strategy is an ambitious, multi-year effort set to retire hundreds of diesel buses and transform the student transportation landscape.

Key Milestones and Deployment Plan

Fleet Target: Replace 326 diesel buses with electric models by 2025, aiming for a fully electric fleet within a decade .
Initial Rollout: The first 25 buses were delivered in the previous school year, with infrastructure installed at one depot.
Current Status: 61 more buses recently added, bringing the total to 86 electric buses in active use .
Infrastructure Expansion: Work is underway to install electric infrastructure at three additional transportation depots to support further fleet growth .
Bus Models Chosen: MCPS opted for all Thomas Built electric school buses, selecting both larger Type C buses (226 kWh battery, up to 138-mile range) and smaller Type A buses .

How the Program Works: Electrification-as-a-Service

The partnership with Highland Electric Fleets exemplifies a new model for rapid, scalable electrification. The service includes:

Providing the buses, charging stations, and depot improvements through a subscription model.
Tailoring the plan around district needs—including make, model, and operational logistics.
Managing procurement, site assessments, and construction for smooth, efficient deployment.

Policy Backdrop: State Mandates

The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 passed by the Maryland legislature mandates that all new school bus contracts must involve electric vehicles by 2025 .

Statewide Support: $12 Million in New Electric Bus Investments

Montgomery County’s leadership stands at the forefront of a wider Maryland effort. In 2025, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced more than $12 million in funding supporting the Electric School Bus Grant Program. This initiative is dramatically accelerating the statewide transition from diesel to electric transportation .

Award Highlights and Distribution

Funding Scope: $12 million in grants for 53 new electric school buses and 40 charging stations statewide .
Districts Impacted: Seven school districts—including Baltimore, Frederick, Howard, Kent, Prince George’s, and Washington Counties—will directly benefit from these investments .
Innovative Planning: Grants cover not only vehicle purchases, but also feasibility studies, site readiness, and technician workforce training—ensuring a holistic and lasting transition .

Supporting Equity and Access

Many grants are targeted toward districts with high numbers of low-income students—in some cases, where more than 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. This approach prioritizes equitable access to clean transportation and health improvements .
The funding also helps rural and smaller counties (like Kent) deploy their first-ever electric school buses—broadening the benefits beyond large urban districts .

Economic & Environmental Impacts

The move to electric school buses brings wide-ranging impacts on budgets, pollution, and climate goals. Maryland’s coordinated effort offers key advantages:

Cost Savings

Fuel Savings: Once completed, Montgomery County expects to save upwards of 6,500 gallons of diesel per day .
Operational Cost Reduction: The district is already seeing “immediate” cost cuts by 50% in fueling and maintenance as more electric buses enter service .

Environmental Benefits

Emissions Reduction: The MEA estimates total greenhouse gas reduction from ongoing projects at more than 9,300 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents—comparable to taking 2,000+ passenger cars off the road per year .
Air Quality: Diesel school buses can produce toxic pollutant levels 2.5 times higher than those in electric buses, meaning each electric bus brings real, measurable relief to local air quality .

Table: Maryland’s Grant-Funded Electric School Bus Rollout (FY2025)

School District	Funding Amount	Buses Awarded	Charging Stations	Special Focus
Baltimore County	$3 million	Multiple	Included	Fleet expansion
Chesapeake Charters	$2.1 million	Initiating fleet	Included	Fleet electrification launch
Howard County	$1.75 million	Several	Included	Diverse operational needs
Kent County	$850,000	First EVs	Included	First electric buses in county
Frederick County	$1.8 million	Expansion	Included	Collaboration with energy providers
Prince George’s County	$2.5 million	Expansion	Included	Network growth
Washington County	$100,000	Feasibility study	Planning	Exploratory

Public Health and Equity: Cleaner, Healthier Communities

Diesel pollution is a well-documented contributor to respiratory illnesses, especially among children. By targeting districts with high numbers of vulnerable students and prioritizing clean transportation in low-income and rural areas, Maryland’s program ensures the benefits of electrification are shared widely.

Reducing Exposure for Children: Maryland’s approach addresses the heightened diesel pollution inside older buses—protecting kids and drivers from routine exposure .
Community Benefits: Improved local air quality, reduced greenhouse gases, and support for workforce development help achieve a more equitable energy transition statewide .

Advancing Bus Technology and Charging Infrastructure

Transitioning hundreds of buses requires major upgrades to both vehicles and support systems. Maryland’s initiative features technology-forward solutions:

Electric Bus Technology: Thomas Built buses, used in MCPS, offer up to 138 miles of range—more than sufficient for most daily school routes .
Charging Network: Ongoing installation of dedicated electric infrastructure at transportation depots and across the state supports bus operation and future growth .
Transition Support: Grants include funding for technician training and long-term management plans to ensure reliable maintenance and operation into the future .

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While Maryland’s rapid progress stands out nationally, the state’s efforts highlight a range of challenges still facing districts:

Infrastructure Complexity: Installing and upgrading charging infrastructure at scale poses logistical and financial challenges, especially for rural or under-resourced districts.
Workforce Development: Training technicians for electric vehicle maintenance is a continuing need for safe and reliable operation .
Funding and Equity: Ensuring long-term affordability for all districts, especially smaller ones with fewer resources, requires ongoing state and federal commitment.
Scaling Up: The transition from pilot projects to complete fleet electrification demands coordinated planning, sustained support, and public-private partnerships.

Despite these hurdles, Maryland’s multi-pronged approach—combining local innovation with state grant support and legislative mandates—positions it as a national leader in the school bus transition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Maryland investing so heavily in electric school buses?

Maryland leaders cite a combination of public health concerns, climate change goals, and economic savings. Electric school buses eliminate diesel exhaust, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower fuel and maintenance costs for school districts .

How many electric school buses will Maryland have by 2025?

Montgomery County Public Schools alone plans to replace 326 diesel buses with electrics by 2025. Statewide, grants are supporting the purchase of more than 53 new electric buses across seven school districts, with more expected through ongoing programs .

Which company is managing the bus electrification in Montgomery County?

Highland Electric Fleets provides an electrification-as-a-service model, offering buses, charging stations, depot improvements, and fleet management under a subscription plan tailored for the district .

What is the range and capacity of these electric school buses?

The Thomas Built Type C buses used by MCPS feature a standard 226 kWh battery and can drive up to 138 miles on a full charge—adequate for typical school district routes .

How does this help vulnerable or low-income communities?

Maryland’s grant program prioritizes districts with high rates of low-income students and deploys clean buses in rural and underserved areas, improving air quality for the communities most affected by transportation pollution .

What are the main challenges to further electrification?

Barriers include the up-front costs of infrastructure, workforce training for EV maintenance, and ensuring funding mechanisms are equitable and sustainable as the technology scales statewide .

For a deeper look at clean transportation efforts in Maryland, visit the Maryland Energy Administration’s official clean energy resources and updates.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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