Electric School Bus Demonstration: An Edmonton Case Study
As governments and school boards look to transition to zero-emission transportation, electric school buses (ESBs) present a compelling solution to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for children. However, significant questions remain about their operational performance and reliability in cold Canadian winters.
To address these concerns, Pollution Probe, in partnership with Mobility Futures Lab and RFS Energy, conducted a real-world demonstration project in Edmonton, Alberta. The project evaluated the year-round performance of a Lion Electric Type C ESB equipped with an auxiliary diesel heater for cabin heating—a common industry practice.
This report presents findings from data collected between April 2024 and April 2025 along with associated simulation work. Key insights include:
- Reliable Cold-Weather Performance: The ESB operated reliably across all seasons. As temperatures dropped to −30∘C, energy use increased by 58%, yet the bus consistently maintained more than double the range needed for its daily 55 km school route.
- Significant Emissions Reductions: Compared to a traditional diesel bus, ESBs reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 28-38% and harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by about 40-49%, based on Alberta’s current electricity grid.
- Analysis of Heating Options: While using a diesel heater in an electric bus introduces some localized emissions, it still delivers substantial environmental benefits over conventional diesel buses and offers a practical strategy for cold climates. The fully electric configuration provides the greatest long-term benefit for improving air quality around children.
The findings from this demonstration confirm that ESBs can reliably meet operational demands in Canadian winters with the right strategies in place. This report provides actionable insights for fleet operators, policymakers, and manufacturers to support the successful scaling of ESB deployment.
Relevant Articles
- Sustainable Biz Canada: Electric school buses can run reliably in frigid Canadian winters
- Electric Autonomy Canada: Canadian EV owners “overwhelmingly satisfied” with EVs, access to charging a key purchase factor
- Electric Autonomy Canada: Edmonton electric school bus performs well in winter weather: study
- Environment Journal: Pollution Probe report offers insights into electric school bus potential