The Yarmouth Schools district in Portland, Maine, says its electric buses have failed to meet expectations, leaving officials frustrated and taxpayers on the hook. The manufacturer’s bankruptcy has only added to the growing concerns about these underperforming vehicles.
Key Facts:
- Lion Electric, once a leading electric bus maker, declared bankruptcy and sought protection in late 2024.
- Yarmouth Schools purchased two buses under the EPA Clean School Bus Program 1.5 years ago.
- Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dolloff says the buses constantly show error messages related to batteries and engines.
- Six districts are reportedly affected by problems with Lion Electric buses.
- Lion Electric received $38 million to build 97 electric school buses and charging stations.
The Rest of The Story:
The Yarmouth Schools district told local outlet CBS 13 News that its electric buses, provided by Lion Electric, have disappointed everyone.
Superintendent Dolloff said, “We run them for a day or so, and then we get error messages about engine failures or battery failures.”
Yarmouth is now looking for a way to get the buses replaced or recoup its investment.
Lion Electric tried to break into the North American market by shifting schools from diesel to electric.
However, the company defaulted on debt and entered bankruptcy proceedings, leaving multiple school districts stuck with faulty vehicles.
Many residents are upset about money wasted, while questions persist about how many of these buses are running nationwide.
Several Maine school districts are still dealing with underperforming electric school buses provided by Lion Electric. Yarmouth is 1 of the 6 districts dealing with unusable buses and it could end up being costly.
DETAILS: https://t.co/Z2kSNXXgG1 pic.twitter.com/RzQ0iJfyQQ
— CBS 13 News (@WGME) January 28, 2025
Commentary:
It has been clear to many that electric buses are not well-suited for cold climates like Maine with the current level of technology.
The batteries can falter in freezing temperatures, leaving schools in a difficult position when basic reliability is essential.
This rushed push to electrify everything before the infrastructure and market demand were truly ready shows how misguided leadership can burn through taxpayer dollars.
The Biden-Harris administration poured billions into green initiatives, claiming it would save the planet.
In reality, pushing electric vehicles into unprepared regions drained public funds and created more frustration than benefits.
Supporters of these projects often overlook the practical hurdles.
$1.6M went up in smoke when 4 new electric school buses in MA caught fire—before ever carrying a single student. This is exactly why NY must rescind its reckless electric bus mandate. Costly, dangerous, and virtue-signaling mandates aren’t “progress.” New Yorkers deserve better.… pic.twitter.com/Ph0nqeKMoG
— George Borrello (@SenatorBorrello) January 24, 2025
Electric vehicles need more advanced technology to handle colder climates and require a charging network that is still far from robust.
At this point, many communities are left to cope with faulty buses that were not up to the task.
Under President Trump, the federal government took executive actions aimed at reining in these wasteful expenditures.
His administration prioritized efficient spending that would not inflict harm on lower- and middle-income taxpayers through cost spikes.
It will now be up to the Trump team to address the damage caused by the earlier administration’s overreach.
The focus must shift to proven solutions that deliver real value before throwing more money at untested concepts.
Kamala Harris says that by 2035 all school buses will be electric because of her Green New Deal program which costs $5B.
In 3 years Kamala’s efforts have produced 60 electric school buses.
The US has about 500,000 non-electric school buses. pic.twitter.com/vIa30PuDU2
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) August 14, 2024
The Bottom Line:
These problematic buses serve as a cautionary tale about rushing into large-scale changes without solid evidence or the right technology.
As colder states rethink green mandates, many are hopeful that the current administration will steer public funds more responsibly.
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