How Electric School Buses are Cutting Charging Costs in New York City.
Con Edison energized the largest electric school bus fleet in New York State for the bus company GVC, which now runs 45 electric buses from a South Bronx depot.
Con Edison announced on June 17, 2026 that it had energized the largest electric school bus fleet in New York State. The fleet belongs to GVC, a family-owned company that has transported children with special needs in the Bronx for more than 30 years. GVC installed 23 dual-port chargers to power 45 new electric buses, which replace fossil fuel-powered buses.
GVC's depot, a lot off Zerega Avenue, is located along a two-mile corridor where 20 percent of the city's school buses (roughly 2,000) and 3,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are dispatched. Con Edison said childhood asthma rates in the South Bronx are more than twice the national average. According to the utility, the switch will prevent 1 million pounds of carbon emissions each school year, comparable to burning 3,800 barrels of oil.
Several incentives helped with the cost of the project. Con Edison provided a $450,000 incentive from its MHD Make-Ready Pilot program to offset GVC's cost of equipment for the 23 chargers. The utility also upgraded the site's electric service and supplied a transformer. The New York School Bus Incentive Program, run by NYSERDA and funded by the state's Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, helped pay for 20 of the buses and the 23 chargers. NYSERDA's Adam Ruder said the support lowers upfront fleet transition costs for city schools.
GVC's electric buses will carry about 800 children, averaging 18 Early Intervention to Pre-Kindergarten students per ride. The fleet provides an estimated 4,100 student trips each school week. GVC compliance officer Michael Townsend said, "The children we transport are especially vulnerable to air and noise pollution." Driver Christian Martinez said the buses are quieter and cleaner, and that he has seen children arrive calmer and happier, including students with autism who can be sensitive to noise and fumes.
Con Edison, with approval from the New York State Public Service Commission, is prioritizing electrical upgrades to Zerega Avenue and Hunts Point. The utility said the work will allow faster and more widespread electrification of school buses and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Townsend said he hopes to see more fleets along Zerega Avenue electrify as those upgrades progress.
Note: The headline refers to cutting charging costs, but the page does not report savings on charging. It describes incentives that offset equipment and upfront fleet costs, and it focuses on emissions and health.
At a Glance
- GVC installed 23 dual-port chargers to power 45 new electric school buses at its Zerega Avenue depot in the South Bronx.
- Con Edison's MHD Make-Ready Pilot provided a $450,000 incentive toward GVC's charging equipment costs.
- NYSERDA's school bus program helped fund 20 of the buses and all 23 dual-port chargers.
- Con Edison estimates the buses will prevent 1 million pounds of carbon emissions each school year.
- The fleet will carry about 800 children and provide an estimated 4,100 student trips per school week.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.