Con Edison energizes fleet of electric school busses in the Bronx

Con Edison is energizing the largest fleet of electric school buses in New York State for its customer, GVC, a school bus company serving children in the Bronx.

Con Edison has installed 23 dual–port chargers to power 45 new electric school buses for GVC. It is the largest fleet of electric school buses in the state.

“The children we transport are especially vulnerable to air and noise pollution,” Michael Townsend, compliance officer, GVC, said. “Transitioning our fleet to electric is making a difference in people’s lives. The children we transport, and all those who live and work in the area, are enjoying cleaner air and quieter streets. I look forward to seeing more fleets along Zerega Avenue electrify as Con Edison’s grid upgrades progress.” 

GVC’s depot is located along a two-mile corridor where 20 percent of the city’s school buses GVC’s depot is located along a two-mile corridor where 20 percent of the city’s school buses — roughly 2,000 — are dispatched, along with 3,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHD). 

“Con Edison is proud to invest in energy solutions that anticipate customers’ needs, reduce emissions, protect public health, and support New York’s clean energy transition,” Vicki Kuo, senior vice president, Customer Energy Solutions, Con Edison, said. “By engaging with GVC from the earliest stages of the electrification journey, upgrading the grid and offering incentives, we’re supporting a cleaner, healthier future for the Bronx and beyond.”

Con Edison, with approval from the New York State Public Service Commission, is prioritizing critical electrification upgrades to Zerega Avenue and Hunts Point to reduce the tailpipe pollution. The upgrades will enable faster and more widespread electrification of school buses and other MHD vehicles.

Electric buses don’t have tailpipes and emit no carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or fine particulate matter,. Upgrading to electric buses will prevent the emission of 1 million pounds of carbon each school year. 

Con Edison’s $450,000 incentive from its MHD Make-Ready Pilot program helped offset GVC’s costs for the installation of equipment. The project also received support through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

“NYSERDA’s support of new electric school buses and chargers in the South Bronx is an investment that lowers New York City school’s upfront fleet transition costs,” NYSERDA Director of Clean Transportation Adam Ruder said. “These zero-emission buses, operated by GVC, will help reduce air pollution and improve the health of New Yorkers in the community, especially students who will benefit from a safe, comfortable ride to school.”

GVC’s electric buses will carry about 800 children to their classes, averaging 18 students per ride. Over the course of a school week, the fleet serves an estimated 4,100 student trips. 

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. It serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County.