MPS Rolls Out Grant-Funded Electric School Buses to Tackle Rising Fuel Costs, Improve Air Quality
District Among Nation's Leaders with Innovative, Multivendor Approach
(MILWAUKEE) — Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, EdD, today announced a major step forward in the district’s modernization of student transportation with the rollout of electric school buses. The initiative, in partnership with district transportation providers Wisconsin Central, Lakeside (Student Transportation of America), and First Student, is designed to deliver long-term financial stability for the district while improving air quality for students and neighborhoods across Milwaukee.
“Every new electric bus on the road replaces a diesel one, which means cleaner air for our students and healthier communities,” said Dr. Cassellius. “This initiative builds on the district’s five-year District Sustainability Action Plan, developed with input from hundreds of stakeholders, and in partnership with the Green Schools National Network. By reducing bus emissions and managing resources responsibly, we are taking meaningful steps toward creating a healthier, more sustainable Milwaukee for all.”
MPS plans to deploy 150 electric buses in three phases, with the first 50 arriving now and set to begin serving approximately 6,000 students in September. The program is supported by federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus grants and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which cover the cost of the vehicles—provided by Highland Electric Fleets—and the infrastructure needed to operate them, ensuring no additional financial burden to the district. This large-scale rollout positions Milwaukee among the leading districts nationwide in electric bus adoption and reflects a unique multivendor approach that allows the district to scale efficiently while maintaining flexibility.
The transition comes as rising and unpredictable diesel prices have placed added pressure on school budgets nationwide. Under the district’s current transportation contract with its vendors, MPS pays fuel surcharges when diesel costs exceed established benchmarks—expenses that totaled approximately $800,000 between March and June alone. By shifting to electric buses, the district will eliminate those surcharges entirely, while electricity costs are covered by transportation partners rather than passed on to MPS.
“Milwaukee Public Schools has been a tremendous partner in bringing this vision to life, and together with Highland Electric Fleets, we are delivering something that genuinely matters to families across this community,” said Wisconsin Central Chief Executive Officer Jason Walker. “These vehicles will lower costs for the district, put cleaner air in front of every student who rides to school, and set a new standard for what student transportation can look like. Wisconsin Central is proud to be part of that.”
“Replacing just five diesel school buses with electric buses can reduce the risk of pediatric asthma for approximately 1,500 students,” said Ben Schutzman, Chief Operating Officer at Highland Electric Fleets. “For school districts, the benefits extend beyond student health. Electric school buses have 97% fewer moving parts than traditional diesel vehicles, helping reduce maintenance costs, lower long-term operating expenses, and provide more predictable transportation budgets.”
Beyond the financial advantages, the initiative is expected to deliver meaningful health benefits for students and families by eliminating tailpipe emissions and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants—an important step in a city where asthma rates remain a concern. Construction of charging infrastructure is underway at multiple transportation provider locations across the city. As these facilities near completion, the district and its partners are preparing for full-scale operations ahead of the upcoming school year.
Additional phases of deployment will follow in the coming years, expanding MPS’s electric fleet and advancing the district’s goals around sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and student health. MPS will continue to share updates as buses are deployed and begin serving routes across Milwaukee.
About Highland Electric Fleets
Highland Electric Fleets is North America’s leading provider of Electrification-as-a-Service. Founded in 2019, Highland partners with school districts, municipalities, and fleet operators to make the transition to electric fleets simple and affordable. Highland proudly serves as the Official Electric School Bus Provider of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. From pioneering vehicle-to-grid technology to managing some of the nation’s largest electric school bus fleets, Highland delivers reliable, cost-effective solutions that support local communities and drive the future of transportation. Learn more at highlandfleets.com.
About North American Central School Bus (NACSB) NACSB’s mission is to “empower tomorrow’s leaders and provide them with access to world changing opportunities.” They strive to foster a culture of safety, innovation, excellence, and engagement in all operations. Learn more at northamericacentral.com.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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