With delivery of 10 new Lion Electric all‑electric school buses in December 2020, Twin Rivers Unified School District’s (TRUSD) fleet of 40 zero‑emission buses represents the largest deployment of zero‑emission school buses in North America. Several California Climate Investments programs, including Community Air Protection Incentives, played a crucial role in reaching this major milestone.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District combined $100,000 in Community Air Protection incentives, $220,000 from the Hybrid and Zero‑emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, and other local funds to help the school district pay for each new school bus. The investment totaled more than $4 million for these 10 new school buses.

“The Sac Metro Air District is pleased to partner with Lion and Twin Rivers School District,” said Sac Metro Air District Air Pollution Control Officer Alberto Ayala. “Together, we are at the cutting edge of school bus electrification, bringing zero‑emission technology to protect our children, but also showing that electric vehicles are real, tangible alternatives to toxic diesel combustion engines.”

The first battery‑electric school buses in California were put into operation in 2016 at TRUSD in Northern Sacramento. Since then, the school district has continued to expand its fleet of zero‑emission buses. Timothy Shannon, the district’s director of transportation, is proud of the district’s progress.

"We started down the road of electrification four years ago, and the reception has been unanimously positive,” Shannon said. “Everyone from the drivers and maintenance staff, to the community, and most importantly students, have welcomed the possibilities of zero‑emission buses and the health benefits that come with their adoption.”

TRUSD is located within — and primarily serves — a disadvantaged community. “Thanks to California Climate Investments and other incentives, as well as manufacturers such as Lion Electric, schoolkids here in Sacramento — and across California — are riding in the cleanest‑running school buses on the market,” former California Air Resources Board Deputy Executive Officer Steve Cliff said. “These investments mean cleaner air for our kids, and for communities that need it most.”

To learn more about the TRUSD fleet, watch this video from Lion Electric.