Durham School Services adds 26 electric school buses for Duval County Public Schools

Durham School Services marked the rollout of 26 new electric school buses for Duval County Public Schools on July 30 in Jacksonville. The fleet, funded through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, is designed to cut emissions, lower operating costs and give students quieter rides starting this school year.

Why it matters: - The new electric buses give Duval County Public Schools a cleaner student transportation option at no additional cost to taxpayers. - The switch is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower maintenance costs and create quieter rides for students and drivers. - The project adds to Durham School Services’ push toward fleet electrification and cleaner school transportation.

What happened: - Durham School Services held a ribbon-cutting event on July 30, 2026, at its transportation facility in Jacksonville, Florida. - The company deployed 26 IC Bus Type C electric school buses and 26 Zerova 30kw chargers for Duval County Public Schools. - Highland Electric Fleets and Duval County Public Schools supported the event. - The buses will begin serving students and the community in the upcoming school year. - Attendees included district staff, board members, Highland Electric Fleets representatives, Durham School Services leadership and community members. - Guests were invited to ride one of the new electric buses and tour the facility after the ceremony.

The details: - The buses and chargers were funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. - Durham School Services will operate the buses. - Highland Electric Fleets will support the project through its Electrification-as-a-Service model. - Duval County Public Schools said the electric buses will improve the experience and environment for students, families and the broader community. - The district said the electric-vehicle benefits come without extra cost to local taxpayers. - The EPA says electrifying one school bus eliminates as much carbon dioxide as taking four passenger vehicles off the road over its lifetime. - For Duval County Public Schools, the release said that equals the impact of 104 cars and about 1,560 tons of carbon dioxide. - Reported benefits of electrification also include improved performance and behavior at school and reduced maintenance costs. - Duval County Public Schools is the 18th-largest district in the nation, serving more than 128,000 students in over 190 schools.

Between the lines: - The project reflects a broader shift in school transportation toward electrification, especially when outside funding helps offset upfront costs. - Highland Electric Fleets is positioning its service model as a way to make electric bus adoption simpler and more predictable for districts. - The release frames cleaner buses as both an environmental upgrade and a health benefit, especially for children who are more vulnerable to air pollution. - Durham School Services is using the rollout to reinforce its sustainability message and a long-running relationship with Duval County Public Schools.

What's next: - The new buses are set to enter service when the upcoming school year begins. - Durham School Services, Highland Electric Fleets and Duval County Public Schools are likely to use the deployment as a model for future fleet transitions. - The district and its partners will monitor how the electric buses affect operations, maintenance and rider experience over time. - Duval County Public Schools directs readers to learn more about the district. - Highland Electric Fleets also directs readers to learn more about its services.

The bottom line: - Duval County Public Schools is putting 26 electric school buses on the road, backed by federal funding and private fleet support, in a move meant to cut emissions and modernize student transportation.