Transition to electric school buses improves American health, according to a new report.

Approximately 5,300 out of a total of 480,000 school buses in the U.S. are electric.

, and Administrator

2025 September 11 . 3:21 PM

1 min read

Electric school buses transition may improve American health, study suggests

Transition to electric school buses improves American health, according to a new report.

A new study conducted by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Carleton University has found that electrifying school buses could have positive benefits in almost all counties across the United States. The analysis, led by Sue Gander, director of WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative, suggests that the switch from diesel buses to electric buses could provide at least $1.6 billion in annual health benefits.

The study, which used county-level data for its analysis, found that 99.7% of counties in the U.S. would experience positive health benefits from this transition. Gander reiterates that the health benefits of electrifying school buses are real and widespread, particularly for those living in U.S. cities.

Previous studies have shown that electric buses cut the risk of childhood asthma and other health issues. This new analysis builds on that research, emphasising the need for continued public investment in electric buses. Gander stated that the analysis shows the need for such investment, highlighting the potential for significant annual health benefits.

The study's findings are significant as they indicate that the benefits of electrifying school buses would be particularly significant for those living in U.S. cities. The research did not identify any specific counties where the switch to electric school buses would have no positive health impacts.

In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that the switch to electric school buses could bring significant health benefits to the vast majority of counties in the U.S. The findings underscore the need for continued investment in this area to improve air quality and public health.