There’s a lot of uncertainty with the new administration’s stance on EVs. Most discussions here seem focused on passenger cars, but I’m curious about school buses, transit buses, and other fleet vehicles.
How much do these rely on tax credits, and are those in danger of being cut? Are fleet vehicles at greater risk than consumer EVs?
On one hand, the shift to EVs seems unstoppable, and many states—especially red states—benefit from the transition. On the other hand, I’m worried about how Trump’s policies and appointments might impact these advancements. Thoughts?
EVs are just better overall—better for costs, maintenance, and the environment. Fleets are transitioning faster because the economics make so much sense. High mileage and predictable routes mean EVs shine here.
Police departments, delivery fleets like Amazon, and even Pepsi with its semis are already switching. Diesel school buses are awful for kids’ health, and EV buses charge easily during downtime. The transition isn’t a “movement”—it’s a necessity.
Texas, of all places, is leading in clean energy adoption. The road might have bumps, but EVs are the future, no matter what an administration does.
Connie said: @Maria
What do you mean by ‘outlawing new technology’ in Europe?
Europe’s regulations can sometimes stifle innovation. For example, strict rules led to dependency on others for things like search engines and AI. It’s also caused brain drain, with top talent moving away.
Take Street View—it’s practically useless in Germany because of photo restrictions. Regulations like these hurt consumers and delay tech that could save lives, like advanced driver assistance systems. There are so many cases where heavy-handed policies make progress harder.
@Maria
Tariffs on Chinese EVs are essentially a way of blocking them. Meanwhile, China is leading the transition—they installed more solar last year than the U.S. ever has.
It’s great that the U.S. is catching up, but let’s not forget how far ahead countries like China are in clean energy. By the way, you can get a $20,000 EV in Mexico from BYD, which shows how much cheaper they’ve made these vehicles.
@Randy
True, but the tariffs also encourage building EVs and batteries domestically. The U.S. doesn’t need to lead, but we can still stay competitive.
Look at California—nearly 25% of new cars sold are EVs. Energy costs in the U.S. are also stabilizing, unlike in Europe. The transition isn’t perfect, but it’s happening.
@Maria
I think the U.S. is still behind, especially with Republicans in charge. China prioritized EVs years ago, and now they’re reaping the benefits. For example, their policies in 2007 gave a huge boost to EV development. The U.S. has struggled to maintain consistent progress.
Fleet operators are going electric faster than consumers. They have predictable routes, higher turnover, and can afford to buy new instead of used. Plus, the cost of ownership is way lower for EVs. Many of the issues consumers worry about don’t apply to commercial vehicles.
California is pushing hard for EV adoption. Agencies like CARB (California Air Resources Board) are leading the charge with strict emissions rules. They’ve already forced automakers to offer zero-emission vehicles, and cities like Los Angeles are investing in electric buses. Even if federal policies lag, state-level programs will keep moving forward.
@Mark
BYD’s buses have improved, but they had a bad reputation early on for issues like cracked frames and poor range. Companies like Gillig and New Flyer are the go-to options for EV buses now. Unless the federal government guts transit funding, we’ll keep seeing more EV buses on the road.
Battery prices are dropping, and EVs are getting more cost-effective. Self-driving taxis might even replace buses one day if they’re affordable enough.
Electric buses are here to stay. Local governments want cleaner air, and EV buses are a proven solution. The challenge is ensuring delivery and fleet vehicles can pay for themselves. Some vehicle types, like passenger cars, make the switch easily, while others—like fire trucks—might take longer.
Even if federal support wanes, EVs will continue growing due to better technology and cost savings. The world has moved on from 2017 when EVs were seen as a luxury.