School bus drivers in New Orleans are now operating the largest electric school bus fleet ever deployed in Louisiana, marking a major operational shift in student transportation across the city.
InspireNOLA Charter Schools has placed 42 electric school buses into daily service, transporting more than 3,000 students across its network of schools. The deployment replaces diesel buses while maintaining full route coverage and represents the first time a charter network in Louisiana has reached this scale with electric vehicles.
“This significant milestone is about leading with intention and putting students first,” said InspireNOLA Charter Schools CEO Jamar McKneely. “Deploying 42 electric buses allows us to reduce emissions, improve our students’ daily travel experience through air-conditioned transportation, and set a new standard for sustainability and innovation in public education in Louisiana.”
What the Fleet Looks Like on the Road
The buses are operated by A&S Transportation and supported by Highland Electric Fleets through its Electrification as a Service model. According to project details, the fleet supports 58 daily routes and covers more than 3,400 miles per day, maintaining the same service footprint previously handled by diesel equipment.
Drivers are operating IC Bus Type C electric school buses, which are charged overnight at a dedicated depot located at 4099 Industrial Parkway in New Orleans. The site includes seven Kempower C800 power cabinets supporting 52 charging ports through satellite dispensers, allowing buses to be fully charged and ready for daily service.
Operator and Contractor Perspective
Transportation partners involved in the rollout say the transition reflects a long-term investment in both drivers and the community.
“We are honored to be able to support InspireNOLA as they embark on this new journey and lead the way as pioneers in EV and sustainability for charter schools of New Orleans,” said Wayne Skinner, Senior Vice President of Fleet and Procurement, A&S Transportation and Durham School Services. “These EV buses represent a greener, healthier world and future for InspireNOLA students and the community. We are proud to be part of such an impactful initiative with benefits that will last for years to come.”
How the Fleet Was Funded
Funding for the project includes awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program, along with available federal tax credits. Through Highland Electric Fleets’ model, InspireNOLA was able to deploy the electric buses without taking on additional upfront fleet upgrade costs.
Highland provides the vehicles, charging infrastructure, and ongoing support, allowing school systems and contractors to focus on daily operations rather than long term capital investment.
“Electric school buses help reduce students’ exposure to diesel exhaust during their daily commute,” said Brian Buccella, Chief Commercial Officer at Highland Electric Fleets. “For districts like InspireNOLA, that means a cleaner ride for students and drivers while maintaining the reliability they need every day.”
Early Impact on Daily Operations
District leaders report that the electric buses are already contributing to a quieter and calmer ride environment, helping students arrive ready for the school day. From a driver perspective, the fleet introduces new operating routines tied to charging schedules and depot-based planning, while maintaining route consistency.
The deployment positions New Orleans as a reference point for other school transportation providers evaluating electric fleets at scale, particularly in warm weather, urban environments.
As electric school buses continue expanding nationwide, InspireNOLA’s rollout offers a working example of how large charter networks can transition fleets while preserving service reliability for drivers, students, and communities.
Source: PR Newswire
Customer Reviews
Thanks for submitting your comment!