In Pictures: NYC adds 40 electric school buses with above-ground charging that cuts costs 20%

The First Charge system delivers power through above-ground infrastructure, eliminating the trenching that typically drives up depot electrification costs.

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Above-ground charging setups like this one can be deployed faster than buried conduit systems in dense urban environments.

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First Student's Brooklyn and Queens depots will host 40 electric school buses supported by the new charging infrastructure.

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The project's 20% infrastructure cost savings stem from avoiding excavation and simplifying installation at fleet depots.

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The 40 new electric buses will serve routes across Brooklyn and Queens, replacing diesel vehicles in the city's school fleet.

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First Student's charging design aims to be a replicable model for other dense cities looking to electrify their fleets.

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The charging project is part of a broader push to cut emissions and operating costs in New York City's school transportation network.

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While some fleet depots rely on indoor charging, First Student's above-ground approach is optimized for outdoor urban lots.

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Electric school buses like these can lower fuel and maintenance costs compared with traditional diesel models.

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