(Audubon) The Audubon School Board approved the purchase of an electric bus last month; on Monday night Schools Superintendent Eric Trager presented bids from four different vendors. The EPA Clean School Bus Program is paying the $375,000 purchase price and adding $20,000 for the charger.
Mr. Trager says three of the four bids came in at $375,000.
The proposals are for 72-seat Class C School buses from Iowa’s Big three bus vendors, including International, Thomas, and Bluebird. Trager says there is also the Lion Electric Company which has been in the electric vehicle manufacturing business for a long time.
The district does not intend to use the E-Bus to transport students to activities, strictly for the morning and afternoon routes.
Mr. Trager says the big issue for these electric buses is the $375,000 upfront cost. Trager thinks he can buy the same bus in a diesel version for $120,000. He says there is a lot left to be proven on electric buses. Trager says this is a free school bus for the district, and the goal is to learn something in the process.
The School Board tabled the bid selection process while Mr. Trager could do more research on the four companies bidding for the project.
