Durham School Services Celebrates 26 New EV Buses

Summit School Services reported that Durham School Services celebrated a major milestone on July 30, 2026, with the deployment of 26 new electric school buses that will provide cleaner, quieter transportation for students in Florida’s Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). The achievement was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Durham School Services, Highland Electric Fleets, DCPS leaders, and community members.

The fleet includes 26 IC Bus Type C electric school buses and 26 Zerova 30-kW chargers, funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. Durham School Services will operate the buses, while Highland Electric Fleets will support the project through its Electrification-as-a-Service (EaaS) model. The buses are scheduled to begin serving students during the upcoming school year.

“We are excited to have these new buses on the roads contributing to a better experience and environment for our students, families, and the greater community,” said Chayla Ferguson, Director of Transportation, Duval County Public Schools. “Knowing that we can experience the benefits of electric vehicles at no additional cost to our taxpayers is a bonus.”

“We’re excited for the opportunity to expand our fleet of electric vehicles and support a greener future for the students and communities of Duval County,” said Wayne Skinner, Senior Vice President of Fleet and Procurement, Durham School Services. “With the addition of 26 new electric-powered school buses, we’re proud to uphold a core value of our organization and strengthen the communities we serve while advancing our commitment to sustainability. It’s an honor to do so alongside our valued partner of more than 18 years, Duval County Public Schools.”

Skinner continued, “This project took a significant amount of hard work and effort from many partners and supporters. I’d like to thank everyone for their involvement and dedication to making it such a great success and priority. Congratulations to DCPS for embarking on this new journey towards a more sustainable tomorrow.”

“This project delivers meaningful benefits for both students and the district,” said Brian Buccella, Chief Commercial Officer, Highland Electric Fleets. “Research shows that replacing just five diesel school buses can reduce pediatric asthma risk for approximately 1,500 students, underscoring the connection between cleaner transportation and healthier communities. For school districts, the benefits extend beyond student health. Electric school buses help lower maintenance costs and create more predictable operating expenses over the long term. We’re proud to partner with Durham School Services and Duval County Public Schools to help make this transition a success.”

According to the EPA, replacing a single diesel school bus with an electric model can reduce carbon emissions equivalent to removing four passenger vehicles from the road over the vehicle’s lifetime. For DCPS, the 26-bus fleet is expected to eliminate emissions comparable to taking 104 cars off the road and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,560 tons.

In addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, electric school buses offer several other benefits, including quieter rides, improved air quality, lower maintenance costs, and a more comfortable experience for students and drivers. Following the ceremony at Durham’s transportation facility, attendees had the opportunity to tour the site and ride aboard one of the new electric buses, offering a firsthand look at the future of student transportation in Duval County.