Royal Oak Schools to Roll Out Electric Buses With $4.45M Grant, Debuting in 2027

Royal Oak schools snagged a $4.45 million Clean Bus Energy grant from the Michigan Department of Education. The money will buy ten electric buses and build charging stations. Several Oakland County school systems are switching to electric transportation.

The state-funded grant helps districts abandon fuel-powered buses for electric models. It pays for ten new electric buses and the charging equipment required to operate them.

"Electric busing represents an important step forward for our community," said Tim Ciechorski, president of the board of education, per The Oakland Press. "This grant allows us to reduce emissions, invest in cleaner transportation for students, and responsibly steward taxpayer resources through strategic state funding."

Plans are underway. Officials expect to complete construction and launch the electric fleet in Fall 2027.

The grant helps Royal Oak slash emissions while transporting students. This marks a departure from diesel-powered buses that have hauled kids for generations across Michigan and the nation.

Royal Oak joins other Oakland County districts adopting electric bus fleets. Michigan's grant program encourages schools to adopt greener technology for student transit.

The ten new buses will join Royal Oak's existing fleet after charging stations are built. School officials haven't disclosed the total number of buses the district runs or what portion the ten electric buses will constitute.

The Fall 2027 launch gives the district roughly 18 months. That window allows time to install charging equipment, prepare facilities, and train staff on operating and maintaining the new technology.