The Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District will receive $4.9 million via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to replace 17 diesel buses with new electric buses. The district plans to acquire the new buses by working with Highland Electric Fleets wiith office locations listed in Beverly, Mass. and Denver, Colorado.
Conventional diesel buses cost from $135,000 to $150,000 when purchased new. Taxpayers will dole out approximately double that amount of electric vehicles. Long-term comparision of cost-for-ownership over the life of the vehicles (fuel v.s electricity, maintenace, and replacement component costs – batteries, etc.) was not detailed in the award notice.
