Toledo Adds 12 Electric School Buses and Training Program

Toledo students are about to get cleaner rides to school and high-tech career training in one ambitious move.

Toledo Public Schools just secured 12 new electric school buses that will hit routes before the 2026-2027 school year starts. The $4.7 million EPA-funded project puts Ohio's fifth-largest school district among the state's leaders in clean transportation.

But here's where it gets even better. The buses aren't just transportation; they're training tools for students learning electric vehicle technology at the district's EV Lab, which opened in August 2024.

Students can now earn industry certifications by working on the same heavy-duty vehicles carrying their classmates every day. They're getting hands-on experience with high-voltage systems and battery technology that mechanics across the country desperately need to learn.

The financial benefits run deep. Once Toledo converts 80 to 90 percent of its 118-bus fleet to propane and electric power, the district expects to save $1 million each year on fuel and maintenance costs.

Dr. Romules Durant, the district's superintendent, sees the connection between cleaner buses and better opportunities. "This program bridges the gap between the classroom and the workforce, preparing our students for high-demand careers immediately following graduation," he explained.

The health impact matters too. Highland Electric Fleets, the district's partner on the project, points out that replacing just five diesel buses with electric models can reduce asthma risk for about 1,500 students.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits spread far beyond Toledo's 21,000 students. Every neighborhood where these buses run will breathe cleaner air without diesel exhaust.

The workforce angle creates a lasting legacy too. Students graduating from the EV training program enter a field where electric vehicle technicians are in short supply nationwide.

The district's student-run dispatch academy adds another layer, giving kids real-world experience managing fleet operations and transportation logistics. These aren't classroom simulations; they're actual systems keeping the district running.

Highland Electric Fleets brings expertise from managing some of North America's largest electric school bus operations. They handle the vehicles, charging stations, financing, and ongoing support under agreements designed to match what districts already spend on traditional fuel.

Toledo's investment shows how smart climate action creates multiple wins at once: healthier kids, career-ready graduates, stable budgets, and cleaner neighborhoods.