Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance

Canada’s transportation sector is a key target for reducing pollution and addressing the climate emergency. A quarter (25%) of Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions comes from the transportation sector, and its fleet of 51,000 school buses, powered almost entirely by fossil fuels, is a significant contributor. Transitioning this fleet to electric power offers an opportunity to address the adverse health and climate change impacts associated with the emissions from fossil fuel-based school buses.

The Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance (CESBA) was launched in 2022 to be a public voice in favor of accelerating the uptake of electric school buses. Led by a partnership between Green Communities Canada and Équiterre, the Alliance mobilizes the knowledge, expertise and experience of its diverse membership to support the adoption of zero-emission school buses across Canada. 

Applying our expertise in sustainable mobility and school transportation, notably through our School Travel Planning and Ontario Active School Travel programs, Green Communities Canada will work in collaboration with Équiterre to engage, connect and convene stakeholders across the country to pool their knowledge, develop mobilization strategies and formulate recommendations. 

CESBA seeks policy commitments at the federal and provincial levels of government that will enable all Canadian school bus fleets to transition to electric power by 2040.  

The Alliance’s membership includes research, advocacy, school, industry and government organizations.  Together, these members are mobilizing school transportation stakeholders across Canada. The collaboration will develop strategies and recommendations to transform the school bus sectors in Atlantic Canada, Québec, Ontario and British Columbia, drawing from the best practices from across North America.