Electric School Buses

Ontario school boards are facing rising fuel and maintenance costs for diesel buses, straining budgets and diverting funds from classrooms. While electric school buses have higher upfront costs, they offer long-term savings, allowing funds to be reinvested into education. 

Electrifying 65% of Ontario’s school buses by 2030 is also one way to help offset tariff impacts in the automotive industry. This transition could create 13,000 jobs and generate nearly $2 billion in economic output, while strengthening local manufacturing. The electric school bus industry could generate as many jobs as light-duty vehicle manufacturing, dollar for dollar. Investing in electric school buses opens new economic opportunities, enhancing the resilience of Ontario’s economy.

Diesel-powered school buses contribute to serious health risks, including asthma and respiratory issues, particularly for children in lower-income communities. Research shows that replacing a single diesel bus with an electric one can lead to US$207,200 in health benefits, such as fewer asthma cases and lower childhood mortality rates. Electric school buses emit zero pollutants, ensuring a cleaner, healthier ride for students. 

Studies also show that children in electric buses are 10% less likely to miss school, with asthma sufferers experiencing 15-20% fewer absences. Switching to electric school buses means healthier kids and better educational outcomes.

At the Pembina Institute, we work closely with partners like Ecology Ottawa and Pollution Probe to advocate for the transition to electric school buses. We are also a member of the Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance, which advocates for electric school buses across Canada. Pollution Probe has provided research and policy guidance, helping to shape the conversation around the benefits of electric buses. Ecology Ottawa’s Yellow Bus campaign has been key in mobilizing communities to engage policymakers in Ottawa to make the switch. 

Together, these organizations are helping to drive meaningful change, ensuring a cleaner and healthier future for Ontario’s students.

Unlike some jurisdictions across North America, Ontario has not yet set a target for transitioning school buses to zero-emission vehicles. The Pembina Institute, along with our partners, urge policymakers to recognize the critical role school buses play in public health. It’s time to declare school buses as a significant source of emissions – not just pollution, but health-damaging emissions – and take action to transition them to electric vehicles.