Parents in the Lake Shore Central School District of western New York are reporting that electric school buses mandated by New York State are leaving children cold, delayed, and in some cases stranded in frigid winter conditions. Local families say the buses’ heating systems are inadequate — or turned off — because they draw from the same battery that powers the bus, sparking community backlash against the state’s electric vehicle (EV) bus mandate.
Several parents stated that their children returned home shivering after recent school bus rides in freezing temperatures. According to residents, drivers have been told electric heaters significantly drain battery capacity, leading to heat being reduced or not used during routes. One parent said buses have even broken down mid-route, causing extended waits in the cold while replacement buses are dispatched.
Local father Scott Ziobro explained that heaters in the electric buses rely on the same electrical power source as the propulsion system, raising concerns about range and battery life in subzero temperatures. Parents say this reality clashes with expectations that schools would provide warm, reliable transportation during harsh weather.
Parents also recounted specific incidents where children endured dangerous conditions. Chris Lampman said his son waited more than 35 minutes in frigid weather for a substitute bus after an electric bus reportedly broke down. Grandmother Lynn Urbino said her grandson came home cold when temperatures were in the low 20s because the heater had been off to preserve battery capacity.
The Lake Shore Central School District currently operates a mix of 23 electric buses alongside gasoline and diesel vehicles. Superintendent Phil Johnson acknowledged the complaints while maintaining that district procedures require heat during all routes. Johnson said routes are planned with sufficient battery capacity for both travel and heating, even in cold weather, and praised efforts to train staff during the transition to electric buses.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has also defended electric buses, noting that although battery range decreases in cold weather, it remains adequate for local routes. NYSERDA’s position underscores the broader state policy requiring all new school bus purchases to be electric by 2027 as part of a full transition by 2035.
Parents argue that the current experience demonstrates that the mandate imposes impractical demands on school districts and jeopardizes child comfort and safety during winter. Some community leaders are pushing for legislative flexibility that would give local districts more discretion over vehicle purchases in demanding climates.
