Highland Electric Fleets announced a partnership with Manassas City Public Schools to install six chargers and deploy 12 electric school buses to the district over a three-year period. As Highland’s first electric school bus deployment in Virginia, this project will support the City of Manassas’ goals to reduce 50% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 80% by 2050 as part of the city’s sustainability plan, the company said.
The district secured three buses for the current school year and will add three more next school year. An additional six buses will be added in 2025.
Highland said its model of combining private capital with public funding removes the upfront cost of upgrading to electric, making it easier and more affordable for school districts to transition their fleets to electric. As the district’s electrification partner, Highland procures the buses and charging equipment, electrifies the bus depot, trains bus drivers and mechanics, manages charging, and offers a charge-readiness guarantee for the duration of the 15-year contract – all for one fixed price that often equates to less than traditional diesel costs.
