Students in the Teaneck, Midland Park, and Ramsey school districts are now riding to and from school in a new fleet of zero-tailpipe-emission electric buses. This initiative, operated by D&M Tours, represents a major step toward cleaner transportation in New Jersey.
The new buses, manufactured by Motiv Electric Trucks and upfitted by Van-Con, Inc., replace older gasoline-powered vehicles. The project was developed and managed by Climate Change Mitigation Technologies (CCMT). The four electric Type B school buses are now on their routes, offering a safe and sustainable ride that eliminates idling, noise, vibrations, and tailpipe pollution.
“These children and their communities will benefit greatly from the Motiv-Van-Con electric buses which dramatically reduce noise and air pollution in the bus ‘cabin’ as well as in the multiple communities along the routes,” Tim Palomba, CEO of D&M Tours said. He noted that the benefits are especially significant for special needs students, who often spend more time on the bus.
Health and economic benefits
The introduction of these electric buses is expected to yield significant health and economic benefits. The project is estimated to eliminate over 2 million pounds of tailpipe emissions and save D&M Tours up to 3,000 gallons of fossil fuel annually.
Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to poor air quality can lead to serious health issues, particularly for children. The use of these clean-air buses is especially critical for communities like Paterson, which has a high rate of childhood asthma.
In addition to the environmental and health advantages, the school districts can expect to see substantial financial savings. According to the Electric School Bus Initiative, an electric school bus can save a district more than $100,000 in lifetime fuel and maintenance costs compared to a diesel bus.
The project was made possible with funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which is actively supporting the transition to electric school buses across the state.
