Zum Wins 2025 Electric Innovation Award for Electric School Bus Fleets
On September 24, 2025, Zūm, a national leader in modern student transportation, was honored with a 2025 Electric Innovation Award for its groundbreaking efforts to modernize school transportation through technology and electrification.
The company won in the “Power for All” category for its innovative vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and bidirectional charging system, which allows energy stored in electric school bus batteries to be sent back to the local power grid. The Electric Innovation Awards highlight four transformative projects that demonstrate scalable, high-impact solutions capable of reshaping industries, influencing public policy, and accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies across the United States.
“Electrification holds the power to supercharge America’s future. We can create over 25 million new jobs, help everyday Americans save money and reduce pollution with today’s technologies,” said David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission and co-founder of Electric Innovation. “Our Electric Innovation Awardees bring us closer to recognizing the power of the electrification movement, thanks to their innovative solutions and partnerships. We are thrilled to launch our 10-year initiative by recognizing these trailblazers, connecting them to others, and amplifying our collective efforts to create a brighter future for us all.”
“I am deeply honored to share this Electric Innovation Award with our dedicated team at Zum as well as the school districts and communities nationwide that we’re privileged to serve,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO at Zum. “Through technology and electrification, we have disrupted student transportation, a $50B industry that has seen little change in the past 80 years. This award affirms Zum’s mission to ensure safe, reliable and equitable rides for children — and to help power the grid with renewable energy.”
The inaugural awards were presented on September 24 in New York City during Climate Week NYC, a global convening of climate and energy leaders. Key speakers included former U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Doreen M. Harris, President & CEO of NYSERDA, Sonia Aggarwal, President of Climate Imperative, and David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission.
The following day, Zūm participated in the Electric Innovation Forum, joining policymakers, investors, and industry innovators to discuss the future of electrification and sustainable mobility.
Zūm’s cutting-edge platform unites parents, students, drivers, and administrators, offering real-time visibility and data-driven insights to make student transportation safer, cleaner, and more efficient. In 2024, the company launched the nation’s first fully electrified school bus fleet in Oakland, California—a 74-bus operation equipped with V2G and bidirectional charging technology that helps stabilize the grid and reduce emissions.
Today, Zūm serves over 4,000 schools across 14 states, transforming how America’s students get to school. Learn more about Zūm’s mission at www.ridezum.com and explore the Electric Innovation Awards at www.electricinnovation.org.
2026 EV Charging Summit: A Vital Resource for Electric School Bus Fleets and Electric Fleets of All Kinds
The 2026 EV Charging Summit, March 17-19 in Las Vegas, will serve as a vital hub for fleet operators, school districts, and transportation leaders seeking to accelerate their transition to electric vehicles. As electric school bus adoption continues to surge across the U.S., the summit will provide attendees with the latest insights on charging infrastructure planning, fleet electrification strategies, and funding opportunities. Educational sessions and expert panels will focus on practical solutions for overcoming common barriers, such as grid capacity, route planning, and depot design—empowering school districts and fleet managers to make data-driven decisions that improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Beyond school transportation, the 2026 EV Charging Summit will be a key resource for fleets of all kinds—from municipal and government vehicles to logistics and delivery operations. Attendees will gain firsthand access to the newest charging technologies, including bidirectional and high-power systems, as well as innovations in software management and energy optimization. With policymakers, utilities, and industry pioneers all under one roof, the event will highlight real-world case studies and foster collaboration across the electrification ecosystem, helping fleets of every size and sector advance toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
As well as fleets, the EV Charging Summit examines EV charging in all of its forms, public, private, home charging, for literally every question you may have about EV charging, you’ll find the answers at the event.
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