Topline:

Why it matters: Students are exposed to fewer pollutants when they ride on a bus powered by natural gas or electricity compared to a traditional diesel vehicle. The new buses also spew fewer toxins into the community — fossil-fuel-powered buses and trucks are a major contributor to Los Angeles’ terrible air quality .

The backstory: LAUSD purchased the first 10 electric buses in 2021 . The district expects to save money on gas and maintenance over time, and like many others, relies on a combination of federal and state funding to subsidize the higher upfront cost compared to a diesel-powered bus.

Student reaction: Incoming senior Gabino Perez’s parents don’t drive, so he relies on the bus to get from his home in Atwater Village to the STEM Academ

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