The project, serving the New York City Department of Education, utilizes the proprietary First Charge™ system. This trenchless, modular solution allows for rapid deployment without the disruption of extensive excavation, providing a blueprint for other fleet owners facing similar space and cost constraints. Beyond the infrastructure itself, the initiative leverages bi-directional charging and load management software to optimize energy use, shifting charging cycles to off-peak hours to lower operational expenses.
First Student and Con Edison Scale NYC Electric School Bus Fleet
By bypassing traditional underground trenching, First Student and Con Edison have completed a modular charging infrastructure project in New York City that cut construction costs by 13%. This deployment marks a pivotal shift in how fleet operators navigate the logistical hurdles of electrifying transit in dense urban environments.
Funding for the transition was supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through the New York School Bus Incentive Program. Following the success of this initial phase, First Student plans to integrate 40 additional electric buses into its New York fleet. With over 11.2 million electric miles already logged across its North American operations, the company is also evaluating further site upgrades, including the implementation of solar arrays and a smart energy hub at its Brooklyn facility.
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