By Marc King
On October 7th we were introduced to the following press release from the Maryland Energy Administration: Maryland School Districts Eligible for New Grants for Less-Polluting, Money-Saving Electric School Buses – $4.9 million effort to help districts cut long-term operations and maintenance budgets, while improving kids’ health … but is that accurate.
Here is what we know about electric vs. diesel school buses. Electric buses (EVs) have significantly higher purchase prices than diesel buses, which are often 2-3 times more expensive due to costly lithium-ion batteries and electric drivetrains. For example, a typical diesel transit bus costs around $400,000-$500,000, while an equivalent electric model can exceed $800,000-$1 million.
Limited Range and Operational Range Anxiety – EVs typically offer 150-250 miles per charge under ideal conditions, but real-world factors like heavy loads, cold weather, and frequent stops reduce this to 100-200 miles—insufficient for long rural or intercity routes where diesel buses can travel 400-600 miles on a single tank. Recharging infrastructure gaps exacerbate this, leading to downtime and the need for route redesigns, as highlighted in studies by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
Long Charging Times and Infrastructure Demands – Recharging takes 2-8 hours (or longer without fast chargers), compared to diesel refueling in minutes. This requires extensive depot upgrades, high-capacity chargers, and grid reinforcements, which can cost millions and strain urban electrical systems. Diesel buses avoid these issues with ubiquitous fueling stations. The World Resources Institute points out that inadequate grid capacity in many regions leads to charging delays, reducing fleet utilization.
Battery Degradation and Replacement Expenses – Batteries degrade over 5-10 years, losing 20-30% capacity, necessitating replacements costing $200,000-$500,000 per bus. Diesel engines, while requiring maintenance, have longer overall lifespans (up to 500,000 miles) with cheaper part replacements. Extreme temperatures accelerate EV battery wear, according to data from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
Dependency on Electricity Grid and Supply Chain Risks – EVs rely on stable, clean electricity; in regions with coal-heavy grids, they may not reduce emissions as expected during charging. Supply chain vulnerabilities for rare earth minerals (e.g., lithium, cobalt) cause price volatility and delays, as seen in 2022-2023 shortages. Diesel fuel is more readily available nationally and locally without such dependencies.
Weight and Performance Trade-offs – Heavier batteries (up to 10,000 lbs.) reduce payload capacity and increase tire/brake wear, potentially raising maintenance costs. Diesel buses are lighter and offer instant torque but better hill-climbing without range penalties in varied terrains.
Total Cost of Ownership Uncertainty – While EVs promise lower fuel and maintenance savings (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), these are offset by high initial costs and battery issues, making TCO comparable or higher over 12 years in some scenarios.
Maryland needs to stop being distracted by the Green New Deal and stick to affordable solutions for our school bus fleets.
Marc A. King was a 2018 Republican nominee for delegate in the Maryland Legislature from Legislative District 15. Marc has continued his political activism by providing blogs related to a variety of political activities at the federal, state and local level. A retired Army lieutenant colonel, he transitioned from the position of President, Ceradyne Armor Systems, Inc., and provides advice and assistance to defense contractors as the President and CEO of KGV Enterprises, LLC, a defense strategies consultancy.