Amherst-Pelham School District Launches Electric Bus Fleet with Highland Electric Fleets
Event summary
- Amherst-Pelham Regional School District deployed four Thomas Built Jouley Type C electric school buses and five V2G-enabled Tellus 60kW DC fast chargers in partnership with Highland Electric Fleets.
- The project received $1.1 million in funding from federal and state programs, including a $600,000 rebate from the EPA's Clean School Bus Program and a $500,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
- Electric school buses are expected to reduce operational costs through lower fuel and maintenance expenses, while providing quieter and healthier rides for students.
- The ribbon-cutting event took place on April 28, 2026, at the district's bus depot in Amherst.
The big picture
This deployment underscores the growing trend of electrifying school transportation fleets, driven by regulatory incentives and operational benefits. Highland Electric Fleets is positioning itself as a key player in this transition, leveraging partnerships to scale its Electrification-as-a-Service model. The project highlights the strategic importance of V2G technology in supporting future scalability and energy management.
What we're watching
- Scalability Challenges
- Whether Highland Electric Fleets can sustain the pace of electrification projects across multiple school districts.
- Regulatory Tailwinds
- How continued federal and state funding will impact the adoption of electric school buses nationwide.
- Operational Efficiency
- The pace at which districts realize long-term cost savings from reduced fuel and maintenance expenses.