New Orleans STEM School Unveils Electric Bus Fleet in Clean Transportation Push — Highland Electric Fleets, Inc.

Event summary

New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School (Sci High) unveiled a fleet of 9 IC Bus Type C electric school buses on April 29, 2026.
The project is supported by Highland Electric Fleets' Electrification-as-a-Service (EaaS) model and funded through the U.S. EPA's Clean School Bus Program.
The electric buses will be operated by A&S Transportation, reducing maintenance needs and avoiding diesel fuel price volatility.
The transition to electric buses aims to eliminate toxic fumes from diesel fuel, improving health outcomes for students and the community.

The big picture

This initiative aligns with broader trends in clean energy adoption within public transportation, particularly in educational settings. Highland Electric Fleets' involvement underscores the growing role of third-party service providers in facilitating fleet electrification. The project also highlights the strategic importance of federal funding in driving sustainable infrastructure projects at the local level.

What we're watching

Scalability of EaaS Model: How Highland Electric Fleets' Electrification-as-a-Service model will perform under real-world conditions and whether it can be replicated across other school districts.
Regulatory Incentives: The pace at which similar projects will be funded through federal programs like the EPA's Clean School Bus Program, accelerating the adoption of electric school buses nationwide.
Operational Efficiency: Whether the reduced maintenance needs and predictable operating costs of electric buses will translate into long-term cost savings for schools.