Roanoke Cooperative has made history by introducing the first electric school buses in its service area, starting with Bertie and Halifax County Schools. The cooperative’s initiative brings cleaner transportation options to two of the most economically distressed school districts in North Carolina, with plans to electrify a total of nine buses over the next two to three years. The new 60-kilowatt fast charger at Bertie County High School powers the buses, funded through federal grants and the Volkswagen Clean Air Act Settlement.

Marshall Cherry, Roanoke’s president and CEO, emphasized the importance of not only advancing green technology but also educating students about sustainability. He hopes the initiative will inspire future careers in renewable energy. This project marks a significant step forward in cleaner, more sustainable transportation for rural North Carolina.