First Student's Award for First Charge Solution Marks Innovation
First Student Triumphs with Edison Award Recognition
First Student, renowned as the largest provider of student transportation services, has achieved remarkable recognition by winning a prestigious 2025 Edison Award. This esteemed accolade was awarded in the Scalable Clean Transportation Energy category for their groundbreaking initiative, the First Charge solution. This modular, above-ground charging infrastructure is designed specifically to tackle operational challenges in managing electric school buses and heavy-duty vehicles.
Understanding First Charge: A New Era in Electric Transportation
The innovation behind First Charge lies in its flexibility and readiness for expansion, helping to significantly reduce installation times and construction costs by up to 30%. With the shift towards electrification gaining momentum, this solution symbolizes First Student's unwavering dedication to empowering school districts and fleet operators to embrace cleaner, more efficient transportation alternatives.
The Challenge of Electrifying School Buses
Facing the operational hurdles of electrification, particularly in locations tied to leasing agreements, First Student identified a critical need. Trench digging, boring, and other time-intensive activities presented major barriers for many districts. Hence, First Charge was introduced to provide a modular option: an initiative that allows school systems to start with small deployments and gradually scale up as their confidence in electric vehicles grows.
Commitment to Health and Safety
Kevin Matthews, the Head of Electrification at First Student, expressed pride in the recognition received from the Edison Awards. He highlighted the importance of electrifying school buses as a means to protect children's health, enhance safety, and secure a sustainable future. With expertise and cutting-edge technology, First Student is devoted to creating simplified and effective EV charging solutions, ensuring students enjoy a cleaner, safer, and more reliable ride to school, fully prepared for their educational journeys.
The Impact of First Charge on Fleet Electrification
As the pioneering Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) charging solution, First Charge plays a crucial role in promoting fleet electrification across the transportation industry. With a notable deployment of 450 electric school buses and over 2,022 electric vehicles awarded to date, First Student is making powerful strides in driving large-scale electrification. This innovative solution addresses critical barriers to electric vehicle adoption, particularly around construction costs and deployment efficiency.
Celebrating Innovation and Excellence
The Edison Awards™ serves as one of the premier acknowledgments, celebrating exemplary innovation and excellence while recognizing the products, services, and leadership that contribute to meaningful change. The finalists, including First Student, represent a commitment to shaping a more sustainable future through groundbreaking advancements.
About First Student
As the leader in K-12 transportation solutions, First Student provides reliable rides to school for approximately 5.5 million students throughout North America. The dedicated team of trained drivers is on track to complete an astounding 1 billion student trips during the upcoming school year. Recognized among Fast Company's 2025 Most Innovative Companies, First Student assures comprehensive services that span home-to-school transportation to special needs solutions, fleet electrification, and optimized routes.
First Student's focus transcends mere logistics; it is committed to fostering a warm, positive environment for students on its fleet of around 45,000 buses. By tirelessly enhancing the transportation experience, First Student ensures that children arrive at school ready to reach their highest potential.
Contact Information
For more information, please reach out to:
Jen Biddinger
First Student
513.362.4600
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the First Charge solution?
First Charge is a modular, above-ground charging infrastructure developed by First Student to facilitate the transition to electric buses.
What recognition has First Student received?
First Student has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Edison Award for its innovative First Charge solution.
How does First Charge benefit school districts?
It provides a flexible, scalable charging option that significantly reduces installation times and costs, allowing districts to electrify efficiently.
Why is electrification of school buses important?
Electrifying school buses helps protect children’s health and promotes a sustainable future by reducing emissions.
What services does First Student offer?
First Student offers a wide range of services including home-to-school transportation, fleet electrification, and special needs transportation.
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