Tucson USD to bring electric school buses into service

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Tucson Unified School District is eyeing a climate-friendly future by replacing 10 diesel buses with electric ones next year.

The eco-friendly move will reduce diesel emissions, providing long-term health benefits for elementary school students Isaac Cabral and Anaie Perry.

“It feels great knowing we’re going to be healthier,” Cabral said. “And we won’t have as much lung problems as we get older, so that’s really nice.”

“I also feel good because I know people care about the environment and care about health and things like that,” adds Perry.

Although the school district has roughly 400 school buses and only 10 will be replaced so far, it’s still a big step forward.

The compensation will reduce toxic emissions, including 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide from electric vehicles, according to EPA Human Resources Director Kevin Gong.

Gong said this will benefit the kids who ride the bus the most.

“It will reduce cases of asthma and hopefully have fewer days where children will be kept at home because they are not well,” Gong said.

As the district is already investing in the electric charging ports needed, the compensation will pave the way for more diesel-powered buses to make the switch in the future.

Tucson USD Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo said the transition is another “bold step” for the district to become a more carbon neutral and environmentally friendly organization.

“For the Tucson Unified School District, this is in line with our mission to be responsible stewards of our environment,” he said. “I think it’s one thing to talk about doing these things, but then to actually see the buses here, you feel like you’re making incredible progress.”

The new buses are expected to be delivered to the school district in December 2025.

The district got the OK to buy the buses in September.

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