Electric buses may make their way into Warren County in the future

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Warren County Public School is introducing a new kind of bus that may be making its way into the community in the next few years.

An all-electric bus.

Many current buses run on diesel, some on propane, but in the coming years, that will change.

According to Alan Blythe, vehicle maintenance manager for WCPS, these buses are very expensive, and the school system won’t have any right away, but with cars going electric, buses were bound to follow.

“Right now, the cost effectiveness, this bus cost three times as much as a regular diesel bus right now. So as they manufacture it the cost will come down. So, if you get closer to the price for regular school bus it will make it more feasible for the districts because then they’re not dealing with diesel all the time,” said Blythe.

David Garbrough, the sales representative for Boyd Cat, says these buses are emission free and do not run on diesel or propane, saving money on fuel in the long run.

“The future is electric, you know, we’re seeing electric cars. Like I said, the new administration is actually pushing towards more green transportation, so that’s why were into it. That’s why we’re trying to push this out to the public. We’re just trying to help everybody stay green,” said Garbrough.

For now, the price of the bus is more than what the school is willing to buy, but he says these buses will eventually be the only buses.

“They have the technology now. Electric buses have been running transit for years and cities so now they’re getting them on the school bus. Therefore, there are certain applications it’s good for. They are just wanting the public to know that it’s out there and it can be utilized,” said Blythe

According to Boyd Cat the electric buses hold the same number of students and are just as safe as any other bus.