What’s Next? | October 2025
Industry leaders from Blue Bird, RIDE, and Autel will share expert insights on the future of electric vehicles and energy solutions in response to the question, “What’s Next for the Industry?”
National Forum
The Electric School Bus (ESB) Network National Forum is a series of virtual meetings for anyone interested in and working to accelerate the electrification of school bus fleets across the country.
The Electric School Bus (ESB) Network National Forum is a dynamic platform tailored for school districts across the nation interested in or actively leading the acceleration of school bus fleet electrification. Through a series of engaging virtual meetings, we unite districts committed to pioneering sustainable transportation solutions.
Collaborate with CALSTART and fellow educators in these forum sessions to explore the nationwide landscape of ESB adoption. Our forums provide an invaluable space where participants not only stay informed about the latest funding opportunities but also benefit from the collective wisdom of industry experts. Gain unique insights, receive crucial updates, and connect with other districts passionately electrifying their school bus fleets. Your journey towards a greener, more sustainable future begins here on a national scale.
Forum Schedule & Registration
ESB Network National Forums occur every other month on the second Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
2025/2026 School Year Schedule.
- October 8th, 2025
- December 10th, 2025
- February 11th, 2026
- April 8th, 2026
Registration
To join the Electric School Bus (ESB) Network National Forum, districts interested in participation are required to register for upcoming meetings. Please visit our registration page and fill out the registration form.
Ask the Experts:
Have questions or specific topics you’d like us to address in future forums? Fill out the forum below with you queries and suggested discussion points.
Interested in a Specific Topic or Missed a Forum? Watch Them Here!
Our forum archives offer a valuable resource for those who may have missed a forum or are keen on exploring specific topics. Immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge shared during these discussions and witness the remarkable strides made by districts, utilities, and OEMs at the forefront of sustainable school bus fleets.
National Forum Session Archives
Lion Electric Discussion | June 2025
An update on Lion Electric school buses, including recent company-wide staff layoffs, and an open discussion on the future of bus service, support, and maintenance moving forward.
Advancing Fleet Electrification with Microgrid Solutions | April 2025
The CALSTART Electric School Bus Network Forum highlights peer-driven strategies for school bus fleet electrification, the resilience and economic benefits of microgrids, and Steelton-Highspire School District’s pioneering transition to 100% solar and electric transportation.
Electric School Bus Industry Updates & State Funding | February 2025
Join us for a deep dive into the latest developments in the electric school bus industry, including key updates on technology and state funding opportunities.
The Utilities Role in Driving Electric School Bus Adoption | December 2024
This panel features experts from PG&E, National Grid, and key stakeholders discussing how utilities can support school districts and lead the charge in electric school bus adoption.
Infrastructure Planning – National Electric School Bus Forum | October 2024
Our National Forum will focus on infrastructure planning specifically tailored to support the deployment and growth of electric school buses, offering key insights and strategies for successful implementation.
Data Collection – National Electric School Bus Forum | May 2024
The CALSTART Electric School Bus team explains how telematics devices enable data collection, allowing users to access critical information that improves driver operations and identifies safety issues earlier.
Fleet Transition Planning – ESB Network National Forum | March 2024
The electric school bus team will talk about how fleet transition planning can help you map out your electrification journey and better prepare for future utility needs. We will be joined by Mike Jones, who will share information on NREL’s free technical assistance program for comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans.
Driver Engagement – Pacific ESB Working Group | May 2023
The CALSTART Electric School Bus team discusses how to engage school bus drivers while electrifying your school bus fleets with Los Angeles Unified School District and Boston Public Schools.
Third-Party Operators – Northeast/Mid-Atlantic ESB Working Group | May 2023
The Electric School Bus team at CALSTART, along with Zum and Oakland Unified School District, discuss how to transition to an electric school bus fleet with the help of a third-party operator.
Route Modeling – South/Gulf Coast ESB Working Group | May 2023
The CALSTART Electric School Bus team discusses how different conditions can impact your electric school bus routes in the route modeling process with InCharge.
Funding & Financing – Midwest/Mountain ESB Working Group | May 2023
The Electric School Bus team at CALSTART discusses federal and state-level funding opportunities available to school districts with Highland Electric.
Charger Selection – Regional ESB Working Group | March 2023
The Electric School Bus team at CALSTART discusses how to choose an appropriate charger for your school district with bp pulse fleet and Boston Public Schools.
Coordinating with Your Utility – Regional ESB Working Group | January 2023
The Electric School Bus team at CALSTART talks about how, when, and why to engage with your utility provider for your electric school bus project. They are joined by local utility providers who share their knowledge and experiences from working with school districts that are electrifying their school bus fleets.
Selecting Your ESB – Regional ESB Working Group | November 2022
The Electric School Bus team at CALSTART discusses how school bus operators can select the ESB that meets the district’s needs.
Purchasing with Sourcewell – ESB Network National Forum | November 2023
The Electric School Bus team at CALSTART provides federal funding updates and discusses cooperative purchasing with Sourcewell.