Students will be able to enjoy a new kind of ride to school after Bend-LaPine Schools acquired its first all-electric school bus this spring. Earlier today, Bend-LaPine community members gathered at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend to celebrate the first public electric school bus in use east of the Cascades.

The electric school bus was also the first bus supported, in part, with Public Purpose Charge funds. The Public Purpose Charge program, administered by the Oregon Department of Energy, is funded through the state’s two largest electric utilities, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power. The funds support energy and fleet audits, energy efficiency improvements, and, as of 2020, zero emission vehicles and chargers for Oregon schools.

Bend-LaPine’s electric bus is a LionC model, manufactured by Lion Electric, that can fit up to 71 passengers with a 125-mile battery range. The bus will be assigned to a regular route in the district and will serve several elementary and secondary schools on a two-week rotation to give different route drivers the opportunity to experience driving it. The district also used Public Purpose Charge dollars to install a charger for the bus.

School buses powered by electricity reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, reduce noise pollution, and protect the health of students, drivers, and communities. ODOE’s 2022 Biennial Energy Report shared that transportation is the state’s largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions, at 35 percent of all emissions in the state. Electrifying transportation options for Oregonians can significantly reduce emissions, especially as Oregon moves toward its goal of 100 percent clean electricity to power homes, businesses, and electric vehicles by 2040.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the first electric school bus supported by Public Purpose Charge funds in Oregon,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “In addition to a cleaner ride for students and drivers, making the switch to alternative fuels like electricity will help Oregon do our part to fight climate change.”

Several other Oregon school districts have also gone electric or are in the process of ordering new electric buses. In 2022, the Oregon Department of Energy published an electric and alternative fuel school bus cost tool and guidebook to help districts interested in adding zero emission buses to their fleets. The cost analysis tool analyzes different fuel types for school buses and summarizes the estimated costs. The paired guidebook offers additional information, recommendations, and potential financial resources (like Public Purpose Charge funding).

The Public Purpose Charge program was first established in 1999 through Senate Bill 1149 to support energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and low-income weatherization. A portion of the funds collected is distributed to school districts in Portland General Electric and Pacific Power territory for energy efficiency improvements. In January 2020, the program guidelines were updated to include school fleet audits and the purchase of zero emission vehicles and charging infrastructure.

Oregon Public Purpose Charge Funds Support First Electric School Bus East of the Cascades