South Coast AQMD’s Governing Board awarded funding to replace older higher emitting diesel public school buses with new low- or zero-emission school buses to reduce students’ exposure to cancer-causing and smog-forming pollution. 

Placentia-Yorba Linda USD received over $2.7 million to replace seven old polluting, diesel school buses with zero-emission electric school buses and to install supporting infrastructure. All seven zero emission electric school buses have now been successfully delivered with newly installed charging stations, that are fully operational. 

On October 23, the buses were showcased at an event at Travis Ranch School in Yorba Linda attended by South Coast AQMD Governing Board Member Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Rodriguez. 

At the event, Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez, along with Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, district leadership, and students were excited to ride the electric school bus. The bus drivers highly praised the new features of the electric model and were pleased at how easily and smoothly the buses operate. 

This project will provide emission reductions of approximately 2.7 tons per year of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 0.2 ton per year of particulate matter. The buses service 15 schools, including Mabel Paine Elementary, Morse Elementary, Linda Vista Elementary, Rose Drive Elementary, Topaz Elementary, Travis Ranch School, Tynes Elementary, Wagner Elementary, Woodsboro Elementary, Kraemer Middle School, Yorba Linda Middle School, El Camino Real High School, El Dorado High School, Valencia High School, and Venture Academy.