US: Wilkes County Schools turns Georgia’s first district with 100% green fleet

Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has marked the historic milestone of becoming the first school district in Georgia to serve all of its 25 daily bus routes exclusively with zero- and ultra-low-emission school buses.

This new fleet includes 12 LPG-powered and five electric buses, manufactured and delivered by Blue Bird Corporation, that eliminate regular diesel bus routes, significantly improving air quality for students and the surrounding community, while also significantly reducing operating costs.

Blue Bird’s Autogas buses for WCS can carry approximately 60 students around 250 miles on a single tank of LPG. These units generate 96% fewer harmful emissions than their diesel counterparts.

In addition, LPG-powered school buses help the school district to lower the total cost of ownership of its bus fleets by realising fuel and maintenance cost savings of up to USD 3,700 per bus annually compared with diesel buses.

WCS presently operates a fleet of 22 Blue Bird Autogas buses. Thus, the school district could save more than USD 1.2 million over the 15-year life of its vehicles.

"We are proud to be among the first school districts in the nation to launch a fleet of all electric and LPG-powered school buses,” said Michelle Smith, superintendent of Wilkes County Schools. “Blue Bird’s zero- and ultra-low-emission school buses will help us to create a healthier environment for our students and our communities at-large while significantly lowering our operating costs. Together, we have transformed our ambitious vision of clean, sustainable student transportation into a reality.”

“We are delighted to supply Wilkes County Schools with our industry-leading, electric and LPG-powered school buses,” said Albert Burleigh, vice president of North America bus sales at Blue Bird Corporation. “Moving forward, students on all 25 daily routes will travel exclusively on zero- and ultra-low-emission buses to and from school. We applaud Wilkes County Schools for putting student and community health first.”

Source: Wilkes County Schools

Photo: Wilkes County Schools

February 2025