Belmont Middle School

Belmont Public Schools has partnered with Highland Fleets to secure a $1.8 million grant to support the electrification of the district’s transportation services. Through a 10-year agreement, Highland Fleets will use the granting funds to acquire electric school buses and install the necessary charging infrastructure to serve the Belmont fleet. The transition will begin with at least three electric buses in service by September 2026, with the long-term goal of converting the entire fleet to electric vehicles over the course of the contract, pending additional grant funding. Day-to-day transportation operations will be managed by Doherty’s Garage, a long-established school transportation provider.

The adoption of electric buses reflects the School Committee’s policy commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and directly supports the Town of Belmont’s Climate Action Plan (2009) and Climate Action Roadmap (2019). Both documents demonstrate Belmont’s long-standing dedication to the sustainable use of energy, water, and other natural resources, a commitment that is formally referenced in School Committee Policy ECF. By transitioning to electric school buses, the district is advancing these established climate goals and taking meaningful action to reduce emissions, promote cleaner air, and model sustainability for students and the broader community.

“The Belmont School Committee supports the district’s work to introduce electric school buses,” said Meg Moriarty, Chair of the Belmont School Committee. “This initiative aligns with our Sustainable Use of Resources policy and the Town’s Climate Action goals, while supporting a cleaner, healthier transportation system for students and responsible long-term stewardship of district resources. I want to recognize the work of district leadership, who began exploring this opportunity more than three years ago, and the valuable collaboration and input from Belmont’s Energy Committee throughout the process.”

This initiative was made possible through both a state contract as well as competitive pricing supported by grant funding, making the cost to the district comparable to a traditional diesel fleet. By partnering with Highland Fleets, a company specializing in school bus electrification, Belmont gains expert support in vehicle procurement, site development, and charging infrastructure, with start-up and operational logistics fully managed by the company. In collaboration with an established transportation provider, the district can modernize its fleet while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient daily service for students and families.

Launching this EV initiative marks an important step in Belmont Public Schools’ commitment to sustainability and student health. By adding electric buses, the district is reducing emissions, supporting Belmont’s climate goals, and providing cleaner, reliable transportation for students.