While students have only just begun their summer break, the Arlington Public School District is already preparing for the upcoming academic year. Most recently, district officials announced they have secured funding to purchase another electric school bus, expanding the district’s electric fleet to four vehicles out of its total fleet of 13 buses.
On June 25, the town announced the district was awarded $169,172 through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Electric Solicitation Grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). One diesel school bus will be replaced with the battery powered vehicle.
“The town is working diligently to lead by example and electrify our vehicle fleet,” said Jim Feeney, Arlington Town Manager. “We are excited to get another electric school bus on the road, supporting healthier air for our residents and reducing the Town’s overall climate impact.”
The electrification of Arlington’s school bus fleet is part of the town’s Net-Zero Action Plan goal of converting to an all-electric vehicle fleet by 2050. The town first implemented electric school busses to its fleet in late 2023 with the addition of two new busses.
The third electric school bus was added in early 2026, followed by the latest addition this June.
“We’re thrilled to add a fourth electric school bus to the APS fleet,” said Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Liz Homan.
“These buses support a healthier environment from day 1 on the roads, plus they help us do our part to secure a climate stable future for our kids.”
Additional details are available here.
This news item was published on June 29, 2026.
