Electric school buses now carry students in two Ontario County districts, but a tough winter raised new questions about their long-term viability, according to the Finger Lakes Times. Canandaigua recently put two electric buses into service after repairs fixed charging and equipment issues that delayed their rollout.
Naples has operated two electric buses since 2024 and says they handle most daily routes, but colder weather revealed significant challenges. District officials reported reduced range, heating problems, more frequent charging needs, and limitations for longer routes, sports travel, and extracurricular trips.
The concerns come as New York pushes toward an all-electric school bus future. Naples officials say high vehicle costs, charging infrastructure demands, and limited electrical capacity could make a full fleet conversion difficult, even after the state delayed its electric bus mandate by several years.
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