First Student and Con Edison Build Cost-Saving Electric School Bus Infrastructure in NYC

First Student and Con Edison have completed the first phase of an electric school bus project serving the New York City Department of Education, combining electric school buses, First Student’s First Charge™ charging infrastructure, bidirectional charging technology and a cost-focused approach to fleet electrification. First Student announced the news on September 15, 2026.

First Charge is First Student’s trenchless, modular charging solution, designed to reduce construction costs and accelerate deployment. By avoiding traditional underground trenching, the project reduced infrastructure construction costs by 13% while minimizing construction complexity and disruption, an important advantage in dense urban environments.

“We’re incredibly proud of the work we’re doing with Con Edison and the progress we’re making together to advance electric school bus transportation,” said John Kenning, CEO and president of First Student. “Our mission is to provide the safest, most reliable, and efficient ride to school, so that students arrive ready to learn and achieve their full potential.”

Con Edison Senior Vice President of Customer Energy Solutions Vicki Kuo said eliminating the need to bury the service line to the chargers lowers upfront costs and creates an approach other fleet owners can replicate. Replacing fossil fuel-powered buses with zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles, she said, can also help support regional sustainability.

Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided project funding. Six bus vouchers were awarded through NYSERDA’s New York School Bus Incentive Program through First Student’s school bus manufacturer, International, along with funding for four retrofit buses through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program.

The project is also testing ways to reduce fleet energy costs. Advanced load-management software allows the electric school buses to charge during off-peak periods when electricity costs less, helping manage energy use.

First Student plans to add 40 electric school buses to its New York operations and is considering additional projects at its Brooklyn facilities, including expanded solar generation and a smart energy hub.

EQT Infrastructure Partner Crosby Cook said the project combines long-term investment with practical innovation and demonstrates how fleet operators and utilities can work together to make electrification more affordable and scalable.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said electric school buses provide students with a quieter transportation experience while reducing pollution in the communities they serve. First Student Head of Electrification Kevin Matthews said the project demonstrates the importance of combining vehicles with infrastructure, technology and utility partnerships.

During the 2025-26 school year, First Student operated approximately 490 electric school buses, had more than 550 additional vehicles on order and surpassed 11.2 million miles driven in electric buses.

First Student operates more than 48,000 vehicles across the U.S. and Canada and transports millions of students each day. Its services include student transportation, special-needs transportation, routing and fleet management, vehicle electrification, maintenance and charter transportation.

Con Edison, a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, serves 3.7 million electricity, natural gas and steam customers in New York City and Westchester County.