Key Takeaways

• Pacific Gas and Electric Company partners with The Mobility House to implement a vehicle-to-grid electric bus fleet.
• The project will be launched at the Fremont Unified School District, featuring a bidirectional charger.
• This initiative aims to create a replicable model for other school districts to follow in sustainable transportation.

Partnership for Sustainable Transportation

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), in collaboration with The Mobility House, is set to roll out an innovative vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric bus fleet in the Fremont Unified School District. This initiative is designed to provide a sustainable transportation solution while enhancing the efficiency of electric vehicle usage in school transit.

At the core of this project is the installation of a bidirectional charger for Thomas Built electric school buses. The charger allows energy to flow in both directions, enabling the buses to not only draw power from the grid during charging but also return excess energy back to the grid when necessary. This feature enhances the overall energy management capabilities of the fleet.

The Fremont Unified School District will serve as the pilot location for this program, which aims to create a replicable model that can be adopted by other school districts across the country. With declining transportation emissions being a critical goal for many districts, this project seeks to demonstrate the potential of electric buses in reducing the carbon footprint while also providing a backup energy source for the grid.

As the electric bus fleet becomes operational, it is anticipated to showcase key benefits including cost savings on fuel and maintenance, energy resilience, and overall reduced operational costs. Furthermore, by engaging in V2G technology, the school district could potentially earn revenue from the energy contributed back to the grid during peak demand times.

This initiative and partnership reflect a broader commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and sustainable transportation within education systems. Through collaboration among utility companies, technology providers, and school districts, the project aims to pave the way for a greener future, setting a precedent for how educational institutions can play an active role in energy conservation.

The collaboration signifies an important step forward in leveraging electric vehicle technology to support sustainability initiatives while providing reliable transportation for students. By focusing on replicability, the project intends not only to benefit Fremont Unified School District but also encourage other districts to consider similar V2G implementations as part of their strategy to combat climate change and promote energy efficiency.

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