When Shawnee Public Schools began looking at how to replace its aging school bus fleet, the motivation wasn’t about chasing the latest technology. It was about improving the daily experience for students and finding a transportation solution the district could depend on for years to come.

With a fleet of 16 buses serving students across the district, Shawnee faced familiar challenges: diesel noise, emissions around schools, rising fuel costs, and long‑term maintenance concerns. A federal grant made it possible to take a meaningful step forward, allowing the district to replace half of its fleet with electric school buses and begin a long‑term transition rather than a one‑off pilot.

That decision launched a multi‑year partnership with InCharge Energy—one focused not just on installing chargers, but on helping the district operate, recover, and plan for what comes next.

Rebuilding After Disaster

Shawnee’s move to electric transportation began with the installation of ICE‑30 chargers to support its new electric buses. But in 2023, those early plans were put to the test when a powerful tornado tore through the community. The storm caused widespread damage across Shawnee, including the district’s EV charging infrastructure and Transportation Building.

In the aftermath, the priority wasn’t innovation—it was recovery. Oklahoma Gas & Electric worked quickly to install a new transformer at the new Transportation Building, and InCharge Energy partnered with the district to rebuild what had been lost. Rather than simply restoring the original system, the decision was made to upgrade to ICE‑60 chargers, providing faster, more reliable charging to better support daily bus routes.

The result was not just restored infrastructure, but a more robust system than the district had before the storm.

Throughout the rebuild, InCharge Energy’s Network System Engineer, Mirza Hirkic, worked closely with the district’s transportation team, helping navigate technical challenges and adapting the system to Shawnee’s real‑world operating conditions.

“I really appreciate all that Mirza has done over the life of this project,” says Transportation Director John Wiles. “Matter of fact, he’s researching the best way to help me do a pre‑conditioning routine to make charging even better during cold snaps.”

For Wiles and his team, that kind of hands‑on, ongoing support made the difference between having chargers installed—and having a system that actually worked day in and day out.

Moving Beyond Charging: Using Buses as Energy Assets

With electric buses fully integrated into daily transportation and charging operations stabilized, Shawnee Public Schools is now preparing for the next phase of resilience: Vehicle‑to‑Building (V2B).

The district’s upcoming ICE‑66 V2X chargers will allow electric buses to do more than transport students. During power outages or grid disruptions, those buses can serve as temporary energy sources back into the electric grid—helping keep critical facilities operational and improving community preparedness during emergencies.

For a district that has already experienced severe weather disruption firsthand, this capability isn’t theoretical. It’s a practical way to extend the value of its fleet while strengthening local resilience.

What Electric Buses Mean for Students

The impact of electrification at Shawnee goes beyond infrastructure. For students who ride the buses every day, the difference is immediate.

Electric buses operate with significantly less noise and vibration than diesel buses, creating a calmer and more comfortable environment—especially for students with special needs. Reduced exhaust also means cleaner air around schools, bus stops, and neighborhoods.

That difference has been clear to the district’s transportation team.

“I would like to find a way to switch our other two special needs buses to electric,” Wiles says. “It has a noticeable impact on the students’ daily and weekly outcomes, with reduced noise, vibration, and pollution.”

For Shawnee, electrification isn’t about trends. It’s about how students feel when they arrive at school—and how the district can better support those who rely on transportation the most.

A Partnership Built on Reliability

From disaster recovery to daily operations and long‑term planning, Shawnee Public Schools’ electrification journey has been shaped by consistency and collaboration.

Their fleet is cleaner.
Their charging infrastructure is stronger than before.
And their buses are becoming a resource not just for transportation, but for resilience.

With InCharge Energy continuing to support system performance, operational planning, and future expansion, the district is showing how electric transportation—done thoughtfully—can deliver real, measurable benefits to students, staff, and the broader community.