Calgary Electric School Bus Pilot Project

Location: Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) |  Client: Alberta Ecotrust Foundation & Scotiabank Net Zero Research Fund (Funders), Pollution Probe (Partner), EnMax Corporation, Southland Transportation Ltd.(Partner) |  Client type: NGO

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THE OPPORTUNITY

Electric school buses (ESBs) present a valuable opportunity to reduce GHG emissions associated with the school bus industry and mitigate the detrimental health impacts of diesel exhaust on children and the general population. Despite recent cost reductions and increased adoption facilitated by federal and provincial incentives, concerns linger around the financial viability of ESBs in different provinces and ESBs’ operational performance, especially in cold weather conditions. 

To address these concerns, Pollution Probe, one of Canada’s oldest non-profit environmental organizations with a national reputation as a trusted subject matter expert in transportation and electrification, partnered with RFS Energy and Southland Transportation Ltd. with funding from the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation and the ScotiaBank Zero Emission Fund, to conduct an ESB demonstration in Calgary, Alberta. This project consisted of the deployment of a single Blue Bird Vision ESB in partnership with local operator Southland to monitor its operational performance and associated charger over a school year, marking Canada’s first ESB demonstration project with publicly shared real-world operational data. 

OUR APPROACH

Over the course of 10 months, RFS Energy provided project management support for this project. Key activities included: 

• Project Management - Managed all aspects of project execution, including the creation and maintenance of essential documents (workback schedule, budget, and project charter), event representation, public launch coordination (ribbon-cutting ceremony, stakeholder logistics, and media efforts), and communication initiatives to ensure seamless project delivery.

• Qualitative and Quantitative Data Collection - Collecting vehicle performance and energy consumption data through monitoring of an ESB, conducting data analysis and collecting reliability metrics. Recorded qualitative commentary and lessons learned during the project to inform future initiatives.

• EDI Framework - Drafted a Social Equity Lens Framework to be included in the business case.

• Final Report - Contributed to the development of the technical brief, business case, and research report supporting the electrification of school buses across Canada as well as conducted a health impact literature review.

OUR IMPACT

Through data collection, we helped produce an unbiased, product agnostic Technical Brief, Business Case, and Research Report. The deliverables reflect a strong commitment to a social equity lens, carefully considering the socio-economic status of communities served by the bus chosen for electrification in this pilot and future electrification pilots as part of Southland's fleet.

This report offers unique insights into technical requirements, business case considerations, plus other financial, environmental and health implications of ESB use across Canada, including how government subsidies can help make ESB adoption more affordable. 

Understanding the business case and technical aspects of ESB deployment — including the impact of federal financial incentives — is key to encouraging the adoption of ESBs across Canada, and ensuring a cleaner, brighter future for students and communities. 

Full reports can be found here:

Business Case Report 

Technical Report

Research Report