Bidirectional Electric School Buses

Jefferson County Public Schools is introducing bidirectional electric school buses that combine student transportation with potential grid-support capabilities. The Colorado district is deploying six IC electric buses alongside six bidirectional chargers through partnerships with Xcel Energy and Highland Electric Fleets. When parked and connected, the buses can store electricity in their batteries and potentially return power to the grid when needed, allowing the project to test how school fleets can function as mobile energy assets.

Xcel Energy provided $3.4 million through its Electric School Bus Program, while Highland is supplying buses, charging infrastructure, and long-term services through its Electrification-as-a-Service model. The project gives the partners real-world data on integrating bidirectional charging with daily fleet operations and the electricity grid. For school districts, service-based fleet electrification and utility funding could help manage deployment requirements while creating additional value from vehicles during periods when they are not transporting students.