When it comes to keeping our kids healthy, we never stop trying. We read the labels on every snack, set screen time limits, and make sure they get enough rest. But there’s a big health factor that impacts every school child in some way that’s often overlooked—the diesel school bus.
For Duncan McIntyre, the founder of Highland Electric Fleets, it was a startling wake-up call. While waiting at the school bus stop with his second-grade son, he noticed his mouth was the same height as the smoking diesel bus tailpipe. Knowing the potential harm breathing those fumes could have on his young child’s developing lungs, Duncan started a mission to bring electric school buses to communities nationwide.
As we celebrate Earth Day, it’s the perfect time to learn why electric school buses are the better choice for student health and our planet. Here are five reasons why schools in Westchester County should make the switch.
1. Healthier Kids
Emissions-free vehicles mean better air for students, drivers, and communities. Children who ride a diesel bus have 16% more exposure to inhaled nitrogen oxides and air pollution. Exposure to diesel fumes is linked to a host of health problems, such as childhood asthma, and research shows an increase in student absenteeism.
2. Brighter Minds
Diesel fumes aren’t just harmful to the lungs but also bad for the brain. Studies have also shown that tailpipe emissions can negatively impact children’s cognitive function and affect their academic performance.
A 2024 study examining the effects of diesel school buses on student achievement found that “funding the replacement of older, more polluting school buses may be an actionable way for school districts to improve educational performance.” When students breathe cleaner air, they’re healthier, miss less school, and perform better in the classroom.
3. Smoother Rides
Electric buses have a smoother, quieter ride, which is particularly beneficial for neurodivergent students with sound sensitivities. With significantly fewer vibrations than traditional diesel buses, electric buses help reduce the discomfort that can trigger sensory overload before the school day even begins. As a result, students arrive more calm, focused, and ready to learn.
4. Built to Last
With 97% fewer moving parts than diesel buses, electric buses require less maintenance and experience less wear and tear. Most are built and assembled right here in the U.S., supporting American jobs and strengthening local economies.
5. Smart Savings
Today, the sticker price of an electric school bus is around 3x that of a diesel school bus. But when schools partner with Highland Fleets, they relieve schools from any upfront costs and provide assistance with navigating national and regional grant funding for fleet electrification. Not to mention, charging with electricity insulates school budgets from volatile diesel prices.
Let’s commit to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for our kids this Earth Day. By advocating for electric school buses in our communities, we can promote a cleaner environment and air for our students. Take the first step by reaching out to your school district and learning more here.
