Zenobē and EBT Partner on Electric School Bus Fleet Serving Long Island, NY Schools

Zenobē, a global leader in fleet electrification, has partnered with Educational Bus Transportation, Inc. (EBT), a school transportation provider serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties, to deploy an electric school bus fleet for Long Island’s Copiague Public Schools. The project was announced on January 20, 2026, in New York. The Trans Group is the managing company of EBT.

The initial phase includes 10 electric school buses and the associated charging infrastructure, delivering zero-emission transportation for approximately 4,500 kindergarten through 12th grade students in the district. The deployment is supported by the New York School Bus Incentive Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), with additional funding provided by Zenobē.

Zenobē will develop and manage the charging infrastructure using a scalable design that enables EBT and its managing company, The Trans Group, to expand the electric fleet over time.

Tim Flood, Executive Vice President of The Trans Group, said the partnership supports the company’s long-standing commitment to serving Long Island communities while advancing cleaner transportation for students and drivers. He emphasized that the combination of NYSERDA funding and Zenobē’s technical expertise is critical to maintaining momentum in the transition to electric school buses.

Maggie Clancy, Executive Vice President at Zenobē, noted that the company’s role extends beyond infrastructure delivery. Zenobē will provide battery performance guarantees, cost-efficient charge management services, and long-term operational support to ensure the fleet is both reliable and financially sustainable.

As part of its turnkey fleet electrification services, Zenobē will manage the fleet’s batteries and charging systems and guarantee performance, ensuring buses are ready for daily routes. To support future expansion, Zenobē and EBT are coordinating closely with the local utility to align power availability with fleet growth.

NYSERDA Director of Clean Transportation Adam Ruder said the project will help reduce pollution and improve air quality for students and surrounding communities, reinforcing New York State’s commitment to clean transportation.

Shreya Malik, Managing Director at KKR, an investor in Zenobē, highlighted the project as an example of how public funding and private capital can work together to accelerate transportation decarbonization while delivering affordable and sustainable solutions for local communities.

The project reflects the impact of state programs such as the New York School Bus Incentive Program, funded through New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, in advancing electric school bus adoption when paired with private-sector expertise and investment.

Zenobē is a global electric vehicle fleet and grid-scale battery storage specialist supporting more than 3,400 electric vehicles across 122 depots worldwide. EBT, a managed entity of The Trans Group, provides student transportation services across multiple school districts on Long Island and in lower New York State, operating a fleet of more than 1,300 vehicles with over 2,000 employees.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Electric School Buses Address Climate Change, Cost Savings, Public Health, and Energy Resilience at the Same Time

Electric school buses are emerging as one of the most effective tools available to address climate change, public health, and energy resilience at the same time. As school districts modernize their transportation fleets, electric buses are proving that decarbonization can deliver practical, long-term benefits for communities, utilities, and students alike.

From a climate perspective, electric school buses directly reduce human-caused greenhouse gas emissions by replacing diesel vehicles that operate daily on fixed routes. School buses are among the most visible and heavily used public vehicles, and electrifying them delivers immediate emissions reductions. Over time, as electricity grids incorporate more renewable energy, the climate benefits of electric buses continue to grow.

Electric school buses also improve air quality where it matters most. Diesel exhaust contains particulate matter and nitrogen oxides that are linked to asthma and other respiratory conditions, particularly in children. By eliminating tailpipe emissions, electric buses reduce pollution around schools, neighborhoods, and bus depots.

Cost savings are another compelling advantage. While electric school buses require higher upfront investment, they typically offer lower total cost of ownership over their lifespan. Electricity is cheaper and more stable in price than diesel fuel, and electric drivetrains have far fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Beyond operational benefits, electric school buses provide powerful learning opportunities. They introduce students to real-world applications of clean technology and fleet electrification, helping them understand how energy systems, transportation, and environmental stewardship intersect.

A growing number of school districts are also participating in vehicle-to-grid, or V2G, pilot programs. These initiatives allow electric school buses to send stored energy back to the grid when they are not in use, such as during school hours or summer breaks. By acting as mobile energy storage assets, electric buses can help stabilize the electric grid, support renewable energy integration, and provide backup power during outages.

At a national level, V2G-enabled electric school buses contribute to greater energy security. Reducing dependence on imported fuels, diversifying energy resources, and improving grid resilience all support a more stable and secure energy system. In emergencies, electric buses can also serve as mobile power sources for schools and community facilities, adding another layer of preparedness and resilience.

Electric buses support the U.S. economy by strengthening domestic manufacturing, reducing operating costs for public and private fleets, and keeping energy dollars within local communities. As transit agencies and school districts shift from diesel to electric, demand increases for U.S.-based bus manufacturing, battery production, charging infrastructure, software, and maintenance services, supporting skilled jobs across supply chains. Supporting EV buses means more jobs. 2025 was the worst year for hiring since 2020.

Electric school buses represent more than a cleaner way to get students to school. They are a climate solution, a public health investment, a cost-saving strategy, and an educational platform for the next generation. As adoption accelerates and V2G technology continues to mature, electric school buses will play an increasingly important role in transforming transportation, strengthening the electric grid, and building a cleaner, more secure energy future.