Back to School, Forward to Electric: Accelerating the Adoption of Electric School Buses in Canada

September 30, 2026

By Krystie Johnston and Stephanie Medeiros

Stephanie Medeiros is Head of Mobility at Schneider Electric Canada, where she helps to advance the electrification of transportation across the county. In this article, she shares insights on a segment of her work; the electrification of school buses. From making the case for electric school buses and the inherent challenges that go with it, to demystifying the hype surrounding this task and sharing practical next steps, Medeiros walks us through the who, what, when, where, why, and how of it all.

“My role focuses on helping organizations navigate the transition to electric transportation and ensuring they have the infrastructure and energy strategies in place to support it,” Medeiros says. “I have spent more than a decade in the e-mobility industry, working on EV charging projects ranging from residential solutions to large-scale charging deployments across North America. What excites me most is helping solve real-world challenges and making electrification more practical, accessible, and scalable.”

In addition to her role at Schneider Electric Canada, Medeiros was also recently promoted to Chair of the Board of Directors of Electric Mobility Canada. This organization plays an important role in bringing together voices from across the electric mobility ecosystem to help advance transportation electrification in Canada. “For me, [the work I do] is an opportunity to support collaboration, share industry insights, and help drive the conversations needed to move the industry forward.”

The case for the electrification of school buses

Medeiros says the electrification of school buses is important because this segment of the transportation industry represents one of the clearest opportunities available to reduce transportation emissions while delivering benefits directly to communities. She explains, “School buses operate on predictable routes and schedules. This makes them particularly well-suited for electrification compared to many other vehicle types.” This consistency can also lower operating and maintenance costs over time, helping school boards and fleet operators manage budgets more efficiently, making the case for the electrification of school buses from an operational or business perspective.

There are also environmental and societal benefits. “It [the electrification of school buses] is also especially important because children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of vehicle emissions, making the transition to electric school buses an opportunity to support healthier environments for students during their daily commute.” Children are also impressionable. And they are the future. Their experiences with electrification in their youth may imprint their expectations of the world as they mature into young adults. The fact is that these benefits reach further by creating healthier environments for everyone.

“What is especially interesting is that school bus electrification is about more than replacing one vehicle with another. It represents an opportunity to modernize transportation infrastructure and build a more resilient energy system,” Medeiros says. “Technology continues to advance, funding programs are available, and we are seeing growing momentum across Canada. The question is no longer whether electric school buses are viable, but how we can remove the barriers that will allow adoption to scale more quickly.”

Making the change won’t be easy – but it is possible

If you understand the laws of physics, then it is easy to appreciate why the transition to the electrification of transportation is not a singular event. There are several factors involved in this equation. It could be looked at as the acceleration of electric transportation equals the mass of change times the force applied. “I think the biggest thing is recognizing that there is not one barrier holding electric buses back. It takes the right mix of vehicles, charging infrastructure, workforce readiness, supportive policies, and long-term planning.”

“If I had to highlight one area, it would be charging infrastructure and energy planning. The buses themselves are only part of the equation. School boards and operators need a clear understanding of how and when vehicles will charge, what energy capacity is available, and how to scale over time.” Medeiros adds, “The good news is that school buses are one of the best-use cases for electrification because they operate on predictable routes and return to the same depot each day. The opportunity is there. Now it is about putting the right pieces in place to support adoption at scale.”

Watch this video to see how Schneider Electric is shaping the future of EV fast-charging hubs with smart, scalable solutions:

What are the “right pieces”? Medeiros says that to scale electric school bus adoption across Canada, we need to move beyond the vehicle itself and look at the broader ecosystem that supports it. That means investing in charging infrastructure, ensuring fleets have access to the power they need, and helping operators plan deployment over the long term. It is also important to recognize that every fleet is different. The most successful projects start with understanding route requirements, charging needs, and available electrical capacity before buses are put on the road.

The best place to start is with a plan

“The good news is that school buses are particularly well suited for electrification because they operate on predictable schedules and return to the same location each day. The technology is here today. The next step is making deployment simpler, faster, and more scalable for school boards and fleet operators.” So where does this get started? What should school boards and fleet operators be planning for now? Medeiros says the best place to start is with a plan.

“Before purchasing buses, school boards and fleet operators should understand their route requirements, charging needs, and available electrical capacity. One of the biggest misconceptions is that electrification starts with the vehicle. It starts with an understanding of how the fleet operates today and what infrastructure will be needed to support it tomorrow,” she says. “Taking the time to assess energy needs and develop a long-term charging strategy upfront can help avoid costly upgrades, simplify deployment, and make it easier to scale over time.”

Demystifying the hype and practical advice

Medeiros says that one of the most common misconceptions around the electrification of transportation is that electrifying a fleet automatically requires major grid upgrades or expensive new infrastructure. “In many cases, with the right planning and smart charging strategies, fleets can make better use of existing electrical capacity than people expect. The concerns we hear more often are around cost, charging reliability, and whether the local grid can support a growing number of electrical buses.” Those are valid questions, but they are best addressed through early planning.

Understanding route schedules, charging windows, and energy requirements upfront helps operators make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary investments.

“The good news is that school buses are particularly well-suited for electrification because they operate on predictable routes and spend significant time parked at depots, giving operators flexibility in how and when they charge. With the right infrastructure and energy management strategy in place, many of these challenges can be addressed.”

Smart energy management helps fleets charge more efficiently by optimizing when and how buses are charged. Rather than charging every vehicle at full power as soon as it returns to the depot, operators can schedule charging based on route requirements, energy demand, and available electrical capacity. “This can help reduce electricity costs, avoid unnecessary infrastructure upgrades, and make better use of existing grid capacity. It also gives fleet operators greater visibility and control over their energy use,” Medeiros says.

As more school buses become electric, smart energy management will play an increasingly important role in ensuring fleets can scale efficiently without putting unnecessary strain on their operations or the grid.

How Schneider Electric can help

Schneider Electric helps organizations navigate the energy side of transportation electrification. While the buses get most of the attention, successful electrification depends on having the right charging infrastructure and energy management strategy in place. “We work with fleet operators and school boards to understand their energy needs, optimize charging, and make the most of existing electrical capacity. In many cases, smart energy management can help reduce costs and avoid unnecessary infrastructure upgrades,” she says.

Medeiros adds, “Ultimately, our goal is to help make electrification simpler, more efficient, and more scalable so organizations can focus on operating their fleets with confidence.”

More Information

Interested in learning more? Visit Schneider Electric Canada today! 

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As a consumer, you want to make smart decisions when it comes to spending your hard-earned dollars. Maybe you are in the market for a new(er) vehicle and are weighing the pros and cons of going electric. In this article, Stephanie Medeiros, Head of Mobility at Schneider Electric Canada, shares practical advice on how to capitalize on the transition to electric transportation. Over the last decade, she has focused on e-mobility, working on EV charging infrastructure projects ranging from residential charging solutions to some of the largest charging deployments in North America.