SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Twin Rivers Unified celebrated the completion of the district’s Electric School Bus Charging Depot with a special May 26 ribbon cutting ceremony at the district’s transportation yard. The Depot features 82 charging stations to support the district’s fleet of 58 pollution-free electric buses. By 2024, Twin Rivers will have 82 operating electric school buses.

In 2016, Twin Rivers changed the way students are transported to and from school by deploying the largest electric school bus fleet in the country. We had 16 buses, funded in part by a $7.5 million California Climate Investment grant.

The district’s transition away from diesel buses and installing the critical charging infrastructure to support them would not be possible without the district’s essential partners. Funding for the district’s electric buses/infrastructure comes from several local and state organizations, including the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Energy Commission (CEC), and local utility provider SMUD.

The benefits of zero-emission school buses are:

Healthier – Clean air for our children, teachers, parents and neighbors; Safe – Built and tested with high back seats and seat-belts; Cleaner – Zero engine emissions; Great Performance – Proven in all types of terrain and weather; Cost Savings – Electric buses can reduce fueling costs of a vehicle by over 40 percent; Quieter – Electric school buses are much quieter, allowing drivers better communication with and oversight of students.