A new study published in the journal PNAS has analyzed the potential health and climate benefits of switching to electric school buses. Researchers aimed to quantify these gains in dollar terms by estimating the per-mile benefits of replacing diesel buses with electric ones in 3,108 U.S. counties.
To calculate these benefits, researchers combined data on average diesel bus pollution with statistical estimates of the cost of maintenance and repair, the environmental impact of diesel emissions, and the financial value associated with new childhood asthma cases and deaths linked to pollution. The comprehensive analysis sought to provide a clearer picture of the advantages of transitioning to electric school buses.
The findings suggest that making the switch could result in significant cost savings and improved public health outcomes. By highlighting the potential benefits in monetary terms, researchers hope to encourage policymakers and decision-makers to consider long-term advantages of investing in electric transportation options. Overall, this study underscores the importance of prioritizing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions in the education sector.
