Finger Lakes lawmakers say electric school bus transition will cost $20B, while state has committed $500M

A new wrinkle has been added to the debate around electric school buses in Upstate New York.

Earlier this month we told you about the debate around New York’s expected rollout of electric school buses. The state expects all new school buses purchased by districts to be electric beginning in 2027. Then, a complete shift to zero-emission buses by 2035. 

As the calendar turns to 2024 and a new legislative session begins — a group of lawmakers including Senators Pam Helming (R-54) and Tom O’Mara (R-58) — are calling for a pause to the state’s timeline. 

“The extremely high cost of electric buses, the short transition timeline and the logistical challenges are all problems [administrators] believe have not been adequately address,” the letter reads. “On behalf of these schools and the communities they serve, I am requesting that you include in your Executive Budget a provision to rescind the electric bus mandate or commit to fully funding the conversion.”

Funding is a crucial component given that a new, full-sized bus will cost upwards of $450,000, according to Bill Harvey, a transportation advisor for Leonard Bus Sales. Compared to the typical combustion engine bus, which costs a little less than $150,000 — officials across the board are concerned about a likely funding shortfall if all buses purchased after 2027 are required to be electric.

“With 45,000 school buses in the state, full conversion by 2035 will cost approximately $20 billion,” the letter continues. “The cost over and above what school districts already pay for replacement buses is projected at between $8 billion and $15 billion…