Vehicle to-grid charging, while still in relatively early phases, is gaining traction across the school bus industry in both the U.S. and Canada.

The promise of V2G technology was frequently discussed in the early days of electric school bus adoption. However, few operations have been successful in giving power back to the grid at levels first promised, with only a handful of projects making headlines.

One such example is from The Mobility House, which announced a “successful implementation” of a V2G charging system at Fremont Unified School District near San Francisco, California. The company has several V2G projects around the U.S., including in New York and Massachusetts, that follow the same scalable approach.

“We were confident in our approach because of our deep experience in implementing V2G projects worldwide, and in school bus fleet electrification here in the U.S.,” said Alex Macharia, VGI program manager at The Mobility House North America. “It was important to establish trust in the technology and in us as an organization from our first conversations with [Director of Transportation Ernest Epley and Fremont]. Ultimately, we found that we were closely aligned on the mission to go beyond electrification by enabling clean reliable transportation that serves the Fremont USD student body while also improving grid resilience to benefit the community.”

Macharia noted that like all V2G projects, the one with Fremont required careful coordination and planning with utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to obtain service expansion and interconnection. One of the recurring challenges with V2G, he said, is the functional compatibility between the vehicle, charger and charge management system, or CMS.

The CMS system at Fremont is developed by The Mobility House. According to a press release, ChargePilot manages daily smart charging of the buses, which the fleet operator can view can via an online dashboard. The market aggregation platform receives notifications from PG&E of an upcoming load reduction event via OpenADR, (a communication standard for utilities to provide control commands to distributed energy resources such as batteries and solar inverters) and suggests optimal charging schedules based on the event and time-of-use electricity prices, the release adds.

ChargePilot also adjusts charging optimization for the bus fleet to discharge power to reduce site load during the emergency event, while continuing to ensure vehicle readiness for departure on their next route, noted The Mobility House.

“We have come a long way in developing standardization within the technical interfaces, and this project will be showcasing methods of V2G deployment using open standards, which will resolve some of the complexity,” Macharia said, adding that the Fremont project is currently deployed under the PG&E Emergency Load Reduction Program with insights expected toward the end of next year.

By then, The Mobility House expects to have a full season of ELRP data.

“Program participants are compensated based on how much energy (kWh) or demand (kW) is reduced as compared to a baseline,” he continued, explaining that other partners included the World Resources Institute, Center for Transportation and the Environment, and Polara. “Thirty to 60 hours of events will be called per season (May to October). Events are one to five hours long called between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.”

Fremont remains in the first phase of the project, with phase two expected to come online this fall. That phase will include the use of six bidirectional chargers.

“As more bidirectional vehicles and chargers come to market, and more utilities begin to offer V2G programs in their territories, The Mobility House will be at the forefront of deploying commercial and residential V2G solutions,” Macharia said.

Meanwhile, Fremont’s Epley said the decision to move toward V2G was driven by both sustainability goals and operational efficiency.

“We wanted to do more than just adopt electric buses. We wanted to maximize their value,” he said. “V2G technology allows us not only to reduce emissions and provide students with a cleaner ride, but also to turn our fleet into a flexible energy resource for the community. That dual purpose, educational and environmental impact paired with fiscal responsibility, was central to our choice.”

He noted that he is not an engineer or utility expert and is instead a “bus driver in a suit who happens to now lead transportation.” Because a project of this size is outside of his area of expertise, Epley said it is important to lean on partners such as PG&E and The Mobility House.

The companies, he added, handled the complex utility upgrades and charger integration, while he was able to continue to focus on daily operations.

“It was about mutual trust. They respected our school mission, and I trusted their technical know-how,” he said. “That’s how we made sure the infrastructure rollout matched our existing buses.

Epley said there were many practical and technical questions to answer. Among them, how would V2G impact battery life? What does the interconnection process look like with the utility? What are the financial models for energy export and savings?

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“The Mobility House brought expertise in energy management, while PG&E provided clarity on grid requirements and tariffs. Together, they demystified the process and gave us the confidence to move forward, knowing the technology was both viable and beneficial long-term,” he added.

It’s too early to track financial outcomes, he said, but by discharging energy back to the grid during peak demand periods and charging during off-peak times, Fremont projects a reduction of net charging costs.

“Just as important, the technology is helping us flatten our energy demand curve, which benefits both the district and the grid,” Epley said, adding that the district’s vision is to scale in a deliberate and sustainable way.

The next two electric school buses and additional chargers are scheduled for 2026.

“Even as funding landscapes shift, we’re positioning [Fremont] to demonstrate that electric school buses are not just a pilot project, but a long-term operational norm,” he said. “The integration aligns with our district’s sustainability plan: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering operating costs and setting an example for students on how innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.”

Epley shared the response from the community and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents appreciating that their children are riding in buses that are cleaner, quieter and healthier for the community.

“Neighbors see us contributing to local grid stability rather than just drawing power” he said. “And students themselves are excited to see their school district at the forefront of clean technology. It becomes a teaching moment. That community support reinforces that we’re not just upgrading buses, we’re helping shape a more sustainable future for Fremont, California.”

Elsewhere, Tucson Electric Power is launching a V2G project this fall. And Fuse Power launched the first V2G electric school bus project in Canada. “Fuse is supplying power back to the grid during peak hours from parked electric trucks and buses. This milestone marks a major step forward in the future of vehicle-to-grid innovation,” according to a company Linkedin post.

The post Strides in Vehicle to Grid Technology Continue appeared first on School Transportation News.

METHUEN, Mass. – Lawrence Public Schools, NRT Bus Inc., Zenobē, and partners today hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the deployment of 35 new electric school buses. Thanks to successful public and private partnerships, Lawrence Public Schools has deployed 25 new electric school buses, supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and 10 minibuses, supported by an initiative led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), as part of their regular home-to-school operations. The buses are based in Methuen and support clean transportation for Lawrence Public Schools.

“To give students a comfortable, quieter daily bus ride while benefiting public health, the environment and Lawrence taxpayers is a big win for our entire community,” said Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Ralph Carrero. “This initiative is the power of public-private partnership at its best.”

“As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce emissions and promote cleaner air for our students and schools, we are thrilled to announce the launch of this charging site to support our new electric fleet for Lawrence Public Schools,” said Scott Sheridan, Senior Vice President of NRT Bus. “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of all our partners from the public and private sector who made this project possible and are helping us power this new fleet for the 2025 school year.”

“We’re drawing on our global fleet electrification experience to bring clean transportation and its many health and climate benefits to NRT Bus, Beacon Mobility and Lawrence Public Schools. This is an excellent example of public-private partnership in action, and we believe projects like this can be as financially sustainable as they are environmentally sustainable and beneficial,” commented Zenobē Executive Vice President of U.S. EV Sales and Marketing Maggie Clancy.

Undertaken as a partnership between the EPA, MassCEC, Beacon Mobility, Zenobē, Sargent & Lundy, National Grid, Liberty Utilities, and the school district, the charging site was completed last summer and is being used to charge and store the 35 new electric buses.

“This investment means healthier air for students, quieter neighborhoods, and cost savings for school districts over the long term,” said Rachel Ackerman, Senior Program Director for Clean Transportation at MassCEC. “Projects like this show how innovative partnerships can deliver immediate community benefits while accelerating the state’s transition to clean transportation. MassCEC is proud to support Lawrence Public Schools in putting these new electric minibuses on the road.”

Electrified by National Grid and Liberty Utilities, the charging station site provides a sustainable hub for recharging the electric batteries that power the new fleet to shuttle Merrimack Valley students and community members to and from school and other local activities.

“At National Grid, we believe fleet electrification is a key component of building a sustainable and diversified energy future,” said Jake Navarro, Director of Clean Transportation, National Grid. “We’re proud to collaborate with a range of stakeholders to invest in and modernize our energy infrastructure to support the customers and communities we serve.”

Lawrence Public Schools deployed the 25 new electric buses as part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program in 2022. The school district serves 13,000 K-12 students. The 25 electric school buses alone are projected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 1.35 million pounds per year, equivalent to removing 136 gas-powered passenger cars off the road for one year. In addition, the district was awarded $1,670,000 under MassCEC’s ACT School Bus Deployment Program in 2023 which was used to fund the 10 minibuses.

All vehicles were placed in service for the current 2025 school year.

About Zenobē Energy Ltd. (Zenobē):
Zenobē is an EV fleet and grid-scale battery storage specialist, headquartered in the U.K. The company began operations in 2017 and now employs >380 FTEs with a wide range of leading skills including electrical engineering, software development, computer sciences and financing. Zenobē has around a 25% market share of the U.K. EV bus sector and supports over 3,400 electric vehicles across 120 depots globally. The company is the largest owner and operator of EV buses in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Zenobē is also the leading owner and operator of grid-scale batteries on the Great Britain transmission network with >1GW of battery storage assets in operation or under construction. Zenobē’s North American headquarters are in Chicago with a subsidiary office in New York and it is actively hiring in Canada and the U.S. For more information visit zenobe.com or LinkedIn.

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RICHMOND, Va.– As concern for energy reliability surges nationwide, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is marking National Propane Day by encouraging school transportation directors to explore propane autogas as a reliable, on-site energy solution that can support greater peace of mind during power outages or severe weather.

October 7 marks the fourth annual National Propane Day, and this year’s theme, “Prepare with Propane,” is a reminder of propane autogas’s reliability. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy warns that blackouts in the United States could increase 100-fold by 2030 as the electric grid struggles to meet growing demand. For school transportation directors that rely on a rigid energy source, that could mean the difference in keeping school buses running or grounding the fleet. Because propane autogas is stored on site, never degrades, and isn’t reliant on the power grid for distribution, it remains ready even during widespread power disruptions.

“As someone who spent years managing school transportation, I understand firsthand how critical it is to keep vehicles moving,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “When a fleet goes down, everything stops. Propane autogas gives transportation directors a level of control that other energy sources can’t. It’s dependable, affordable, and always ready no matter what’s happening with the grid.”

Today, more than 22,000 propane autogas school buses are in operation across the United States at more than 1,100 school districts. The energy source is not only resilient but also clean, producing up to 96 percent fewer nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than diesel. It offers lower fuel and maintenance costs, supports better air quality, and contributes to more consistent uptime.

In addition to propane autogas vehicles, the energy source is also helping electric school bus fleets become more resilient with propane-powered EV charging systems. Powered by a propane generator, and in some cases wind and solar, these off-grid charging solutions can be installed in remote locations, disaster zones, or depots without permanent infrastructure ensuring school buses stay charged even when the grid is down.

Now in its fourth year, National Propane Day is not only a celebration of propane’s energy benefits, but also a moment to recognize the propane professionals who make clean transportation possible.

“From bobtail delivery drivers who make sure customers have energy when they need it to propane autogas service technicians that keep school buses operating safely on the road, National Propane Day is also a celebration of them,” said Joel Stutheit. “We depend on these professionals to keep clean, reliable transportation running every day. And their dedication is what helps fleets stay prepared, no matter what challenges come their way.”

To learn more about propane’s role in providing reliable energy solutions for school transportation, visit propane.com/buses.

About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.

The post Transportation Directors Urged to “Prepare with Propane” Amid Growing Energy Reliability Concerns appeared first on School Transportation News.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -Netradyne, a global leader in AI-powered fleet safety and performance solutions, today announced the launch of the Driver•i D-810. Built to deliver peak safety and efficiency in fleet operations, the D-810 is the first platform to combine 360 AI capabilities with edge intelligence across up to eight cameras. Extending Netradyne’s leadership in fleet safety and performance, the D-810 gives fleets greater visibility into driver behavior and vehicle activity, enabling smarter decision-making and proactive risk management.

With 360° video visibility and collision management, the D-810 strengthens Netradyne’s approach to overcoming the challenges of modern fleet operations—with an integrated platform for fleet operations that enables safety, fuel efficiency, compliance, and vehicle health management.

“At Netradyne, our mission has always been to push the boundaries of what’s possible in fleet safety and performance,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Netradyne. “With the launch of the Driver•i D-810 product, we’re not only advancing innovation through edge intelligence technologies and 360 AI solutions, but we’re also setting a new standard for how fleets can operate safer, smarter, and more efficiently. This launch reflects our commitment to giving drivers the confidence they need, managers the visibility they demand, and the industry a future built on intelligent, comprehensive fleet solutions.”

Next generation of visibility and confidence on the road.

The Driver•i D-810 introduces a new generation of design and driver support. Dual- and quad-lens windshield cameras are over 80% smaller than previous models, reducing obstruction while preserving AI accuracy. A powerful processing hub supports multiple configurations, giving fleets the scalability they need. For drivers, an optional in-cab monitor streams blind spot views during turns, lane changes, and reversing. Paired with automated AI audio alerts, the system functions as a real-time co-pilot—building safer habits and greater confidence behind the wheel.

From real-time alerts to data protection, edge intelligence delivers.

Advanced edge processing delivers instant AI analysis without relying on cloud connectivity, ensuring critical safety alerts are continuously operational, while reducing bandwidth costs and protecting sensitive fleet data with on-device intelligence. This powerful on-device processing means fleets can maintain peak safety performance even in areas with poor connectivity, while sensitive video data remains secure within the vehicle. The result is faster response times, lower operational costs, and enhanced data privacy—giving fleet managers the confidence that their safety systems work reliably anywhere their drivers travel.

Minimum blind spots, maximum safety.

Powered by the D-810, Driver•i 360 AI delivers real-time, edge-based intelligence across up to eight cameras, eliminating blind spots around the cab, sides, rear, and trailer without relying on the cloud. This complete visibility gives drivers confidence through blind spot alerts, real-time recognition, and in-cab coaching. Managers gain instant, searchable video evidence to simplify reviews and investigations, while also benefiting from stronger safety culture, reduced litigation risk, and measurable operational savings.

“The Driver•i D-810 brings together years of AI advancement into a single, fleet-ready platform that delivers real-time intelligence at the edge,” said David Julian, CTO and co-founder of Netradyne. “At the same time, it’s designed to protect our customers’ existing Driver•i investments, following Netradyne’s roadmap that enables current devices to adopt new capabilities and benefit from ongoing innovation without replacement. This approach balances continuous innovation with long-term value for every fleet Netradyne serves.”

About Netradyne
Netradyne provides AI-powered technologies for fleet management and safer roads. An award-winning industry leader in fleet safety and video telematics solutions, Netradyne empowers thousands of commercial fleet customers across North America, Europe, and Asia to enhance their driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne sets the standard among transportation technology companies for enhancing and sustaining road safety, with an industry-leading 25+ billion miles vision-analyzed for risk and an industry-first driver scoring system that recognizes, reinforces, and rewards safe behaviors. Founded in 2015, Netradyne is headquartered in San Diego with offices in San Francisco, Nashville, and Bangalore.

The post Netradyne Introduces Industry’s First 360° Platform With Edge AI Across Eight Cameras for Smarter Fleet Management appeared first on School Transportation News.

In the October issue of School Transportation News, STN examined what keeps directors in a certain role and district versus the factors that drive them to switch. To no surprise, it’s culture, administrative support and professional growth that lead the way.

Igor Petrivoc, a 2022 STN Rising Superstar, has been working in transportation for the past 16 years. Prior joining a school district, he started in transportation-related roles working for transit companies, then MV Transportation, where he has worked on a school bus contract since 2009. In 2018, he had the opportunity to join Adams 12 Five Star Schools near Denver, Colorado as the operations manager. However, he only served in that role for a few months before becoming the transportation director.

“Personally, it was a little bit challenging in the beginning just because I was mainly focused on the operations, and I knew that side really well. I had to back off and allow the new operations manager to step into their role so that I could oversee kind of the bigger picture on the district side of things,” he said of becoming the director, adding that the administration made the transition “easy.”

“Because they’re full of support and ensuring that you don’t fail, that you have people there that can help you with the budget, people there that can help you with the bigger projects,” he continued. “They invested a lot in me, and that’s why I’ve stayed with Adams 12 …They ensured that I was successful, both in the role and within the district.”

He explained that his COO at the time would meet with him regularly to provide guidance and support, serving as a mentor for Petrivoc. “He was big on providing leadership books, leadership trainings and courses,” he said, adding that the district also offered training from outside consultants to help with leadership.

One training that stuck with him covered finding one’s voice.

“There are these different voices as a leader that you exhibit, whether you’re a creative, a pioneer, a guardian, and just how to channel those voices into your own leadership style,” he said. “A lot of that was at play in in the early years and still is to this day. Just ensuring that you are continually growing and have resources available to you so that you can expand on your leadership style and your leadership abilities.”

In terms of what he looks for from his administration, he echoed the others in terms of support. He said he want his board to trust his input and value his experience. “They’ve never questioned anything,” he said. “They will certainly have questions, but they are fully supportive of the decisions, the direction that you want to take things in.”

He noted that it’s the support and relationships that keep him at Adams 12. He explained that there have been opportunities within the school district to move up, but he was expanding his family and personally, he said. It wasn’t the right time.

“My hope is to not leave Adams 12. On a personal side, I think everybody makes a decision of where they want to work based on a number of factors. One of those is absolutely the leadership and the support that you get,” he said. “It could not be any better at Adams 12. The other is the family dynamic.”

He said that when becoming a director at the age of 31, pay was at the top of the list in terms of benefits. But now, after having kids and realizing the importance of family, he values the home-work balance.

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Related: STN Launches Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program at 2026 Conferences
Related: Beacon Mobility Driver of Year Shares Passion for Student Service, Connection
Related: Robinson Named Sole 2025 Inductee into NAPT Hall of Fame

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On the flip side, Danny Williams started as a school bus driver in 2005 while he was a senior in high school at Johnston County Schools in North Carolina. His mother, grandmother, uncles and aunts were all school bus drivers. Growing up he knew he would forge a similar path.

After graduation, he worked as a driver for the Public Schools of Robeson County before becoming a site coordinator. He returned to Johnston County as an area supervisor in 2016 before switching districts to Wilson County Schools in 2021 as the assistant director. In August 2022 he was promoted to executive director.

“I kind of knew that if I stayed at Johnston, I was going to be in that assistant director position for quite some time,” he said, noting that his aspirations were to serve as a director. “So, I knew that in order to go up, I had to leave Johnston County.”
That’s how he ended up at Wilson.

“I knew that [a transportation director] would be what I would land,” he said. “Did I think that I would advance as quick as I did, as young as I did? No. but it happened, and I’m grateful for those opportunities that I was granted along the way, and the support and the leadership that I had that molded and groomed me.”

The post Leadership Starts From the Top Down appeared first on School Transportation News.

It’s official. The new Tesla Model Y Performance is rolling out across most global markets, including the US where it comes in at $57,490, as well as Europe. Buyers get more power, more speed, updated styling, and subtle chassis tweaks.

In Britain, the starting figure is £61,925 (around $75,500), which makes it roughly £10,000 more than the Long Range AWD. In the US, the gap is a little narrower at $8,500. Even so, Top Gear argues that the premium is enough for buyers to think twice before ticking the Performance box.

More: New Tesla Model Y Performance Turns Supercar Thrills Into A Bargain Family Affair

Tom Ford from the famous British auto journal drove the updated Performance variant and found that while it delivers excellent performance, the upgrades don’t make it a must-have. The SUV is unquestionably quicker and sharper, but Ford noted that the standard Long Range already accelerates in under five seconds, offers slightly more range, and costs £10,000 less in the UK.

What extras buy you

The Performance gets a handful of changes to justify that price hike, including staggered Arachnid 2.0 21-inch wheels, red-painted calipers, revised bumpers, and a carbon spoiler. Tesla claims it’s cut drag by 10 percent and lift by 64 percent compared to the original Model Y Performance. It also gets a larger 16-inch infotainment system, carbon interior trim, and sport seats with extra bolstering.

Under the skin, it has a lot going for it on paper. The suspension features reinforced parts, stiffer bushings, and adaptive bits as well. It’s good enough that Ford says it’s “class-leading.” Despite that, the sum of its parts doesn’t end up being good enough for an all-out recommendation. “It’s not night and day better than the standard vehicle,” he says.

Everyday reality check

Drilling down further, he gets into the nitty-gritty of the situation for real, everyday buyers. This is, after all, a relatively (if not slightly pricey) mainstream crossover. It’s not a Model X or another flagship of sorts.

As he put it, “A Y is a family SUV, so more go isn’t needed – the fast stuff makes more sense in, say, a Model 3. And then there’s the fact that the standard all-wheel drive long-range car is still sub-five to 62mph, has a smidge more range, doesn’t look much different, and costs a straight £10k less.”

At this point, it sounds like the Model Y Performance is indeed an upgrade over the Long Range in terms of driving engagement. At the same time, it’s not a leap-and-bound sort of improvement.

Could Tesla have done more?

That’s a bit curious considering a few small things, like perhaps simulated gear shifts and some fun faux exhaust or rev noises might have amped up the fun like Hyundai does with the (a lot) more expensive Ioniq 5 N. We’ll have to wait to test one stateside to make our own determination. Until then, what do you think of the latest high-spec Model Y?

The end of the federal EV tax credit has left the industry on edge, and Ford’s top executive is warning of serious consequences. Without the $7,500 incentive, Jim Farley believes demand for electric vehicles in the United States could collapse, with sales potentially dropping by half. It’s a sobering reminder of how much the credit has shaped America’s shift toward electrification.

Read: Jim Farley – “If We Lose This, We Do Not Have A Future Ford”

Speaking at the automaker’s  “Ford Pro Accelerate” event in Detroit, Farley said EVs might soon represent only 5 percent of the overall US car market, a level last seen in 2022 and well below the record 10 to 12 percent share expected this month. That projection paints a far more modest future for electric adoption than many in the industry had anticipated.

A Shrinking Market?

“I think it’s going to be a vibrant industry, but it’s going to be smaller, way smaller than we thought, especially with the policy change in the tailpipe emissions, plus the $7,500 consumer incentive going away,” Farley said. “We’re going to find out in a month. I wouldn’t be surprised that the EV sales in the U.S. go down to 5%.”

According to Farley, Ford’s Model e team is continually analyzing the demand for electrified vehicles. The car manufacturer will also have to change plans and decide how it should make use of excess EV capacity and its battery factories.

Adjusting To New Rules

“We’ll fill them, but it will be more stress, because we had a four-year predictable policy,” Farley noted. “Now the policy changed. … We all have to make adjustments, and it’s going to be good for the country, I believe, but it will be one more stress.”

During the same event, Farley also acknowledged that Ford’s customers are not interested in an expensive electric car. As such, the carmaker will need to make cheaper EVs, but now that the tax credit is gone, doing so will be much more difficult than before.

“Customers are not interested in the $75,000 electric vehicle,” the Ford CEO said. “They find them interesting. They’re fast, they’re efficient, you don’t go to the gas station, but they’re expensive.”

The clean vehicle tax credit expired yesterday and Hyundai isn’t wasting any time as they’ve lowered Ioniq 5 pricing by an average of $9,155. That’s a huge drop and the entry-level model now begins at $35,000, which is $7,600 less than last year’s model.

Buyers looking for more power and range can upgrade to the Ioniq 5 SE, which begins at $37,500. That’s down $9,150 from last year’s starting price of $46,650.

More: Hyundai’s American-Made Ioniq 5 Costs More But Goes The Extra Mile

The biggest decline can be found on the well-equipped SEL trims, which cost $39,800 with rear-wheel drive and $43,300 with all-wheel drive. Both variants are a staggering $9,800 less than their predecessors.

Hyundai said they’re repositioning the model to “better align with current market dynamics and support increased U.S. production volume.” They added the changes come as “part of a broader strategy to maintain the Ioniq brand’s leadership in the electric vehicle space while responding to shifting consumer expectations and competitive pressures.”

Despite the significant price cuts, Hyundai appears to have avoided removing equipment to lower costs. In fact, they added a dual-level charging cable.

Additional changes are limited, but there’s a new Sage Silver Matte paint job. Cosmic Blue Pearl and Vibrant Ultimate Red have also been extended to all trims.

While Hyundai didn’t mention the tax credit, they’re offering a $7,500 incentive for customers who purchase or lease a 2025 model. However, you might be better off waiting for the 2026 Ioniq 5, unless there are some serious discounts on top of that.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Pricing

Prices exclude a $1,600 destination fee

The electric Dodge Challenger hasn’t had the greatest start to life. After middling reviews, low sales, and many reports of problems, things might be getting even worse. According to industry sources, the 800-volt Banshee halo trim is dead before it ever arrives.

More: Ford, GM, And Stellantis Paid Billions To Tesla And Rivian Until Trump Pulled The Plug

Over the past six months, Stellantis has made a dramatic pivot from its EV goals to a more conventional ICE-focused plan. The HEMI V8 is reigning supreme once again with its reintroduction to the Ram 1500, exclusive use in the Durango, and continuation in the Jeep Wrangler. Heck, even the Gladiator might get one.

Strategy in Flux

That makes a report from MoparInsiders indicating the death of the flagship SRT Banshee all the more believable. Suppliers allegedly claim that Dodge has axed the car entirely. Dodge didn’t confirm or deny the decision when we asked for comment.

“Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy to align with consumer demand”, a press spokesperson told us. “Our plan ensures we offer customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options that best meet their needs. With the great news announced in July that Stellantis is bringing back its iconic SRT performance division, it follows that we are also reviewing the plan for future SRT vehicles.”

Rules No Longer Binding

Undoubtedly, the brand is clearly willing to make big sweeping changes now that EPA regulations basically don’t matter, and as a result, automakers won’t have to pay for carbon emission credits. The all-electric Ram REV is dead, as is the Jeep Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid. What’s one more EV that would’ve cost more than the Charger Daytona already does?

That said, it’s not as if performance at the brand is going by the wayside. The Charger SIXPACK is rolling out and promises a taste of what the Hellcats once offered. The possibility of a V8 Charger feels more plausible than ever, even if it’ll take reworking of the chassis and engine bay. We’ve reached out to Stellantis and will update this piece if we hear anything new. 

Credit: Michael Gauthier / Dodge

Volvo introduced the upgraded EX90 last month, so it comes as little surprise that Polestar has taken the wraps off the updated 3. Like its counterpart, the changes are extensive and CEO Michael Lohscheller described it as being “like an entirely new car.”

That’s a bit of a stretch, but the crossover trades its 400V electrical architecture for an all-new 800V setup. This allows for a 350 kW DC fast charging capability, which significantly lowers the time it takes the battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge. Polestar says this can now be accomplished in 22 minutes, which is 25% faster than its predecessor.

New Batteries And Upgraded Electric Motor

Besides an improved charging experience, the model has been equipped with new 92 and 106 kWh battery packs. Polestar also noted the crossover is up to 6% more efficient in the WLTP cycle.

The powertrain upgrades don’t end there as the Polestar 3 has been equipped with a new rear-mounted electric motor that was developed in-house. It produces 329 hp (245 kW / 333 PS) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, which is an increase of 34 hp (25 kW / 34 PS) but a decline of 7 lb-ft (9 Nm).

The dual-motor variant now develops 536 hp (400 kW / 544 PS) and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque, which compares to the previous rating of 483 hp (360 kW / 489 PS) and 620 lb-ft (840 PS). This lowers the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time from 4.8 to 4.5 seconds.

Lastly, the 3 Performance has a combined output of 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 642 lb-ft (870 Nm) of torque. This is a huge increase of 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS), but the torque rating drops 29 lb-ft (39 Nm). Thanks to the extra oomph, the crossover hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).

Furthermore, the front-mounted motor now features an automatic disconnect function. This helps to improve efficiency and range, when extra traction isn’t needed.

Driving dynamics have also been improved thanks to updated anti-roll bars and new steering software. Polestar said the changes result in a “more direct and engaging driving experience across all model variants.”

A New Processor For Customers Old And New

On the tech front, buyers will find a new NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor. It replaces the previous Xavier unit and the company said the swap increases processing power from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second. That’s a huge increase and it allows for “faster, more intelligent management of active safety systems, battery performance, and sensor data.”

As with the EX90, current owners won’t miss out on the hardware upgrade as it’s being offered as a “complimentary retrofit.” Starting early next year, existing owners will be able to visit their nearest service center and have the processor replaced for free.

New Names And Revamped Equipment

Polestar announced a handful of other minor updates including a simplified naming structure that consists of Rear Motor, Dual Motor, and Performance variants. That’s a small, but welcome change as “Long range Dual motor with Performance pack” didn’t exactly roll off the tongue.

Buyers will also find updated equipment, including seat belts that reflect the trim level. Rear Motor variants have black belts, while Dual Motor models have black belts with a Swedish gold stripe. The range-topping Performance has full Swedish gold belts, making for an unusual distinguisher.

Polestar also mentioned a new Climate pack with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel as well as a Prime pack that “bundles together Pilot, Plus, and Climate packs in combination with rear privacy glass.” Additionally, active road noise cancellation and a Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system can now be had as standalone options.

More: New Polestar 5 Doesn’t Need A Rear Window To Put Porsche On Notice

Exterior changes are minor, but Storm replaces Thunder on the color palette. Customers will also find larger “Polestar 3” badging on the doors, which is now accompanied by a trim identifier.

Interior changes are more modest, but the crossover now comes standard with bio-attributed MicroTech upholstery in Charcoal. It’s paired with repurposed aluminum trim, which used to be optional.

The 2026 Polestar 3 will initially be launched in the United Kingdom, where it sold out last year. It will then spread to other markets, although some details may vary slightly.

Car buyers might be feeling the pinch of limited supply, but Honda’s sales figures show that demand for its lineup remains strong. Together with Acura, the group moved 105,097 vehicles in September, despite tighter inventories across popular models. The real standout was the Passport, which is having its best year ever. On the flip side, Acura’s ZDX, which was recently discontinued after just a single year on the market, struggled.

More: Should The Next Honda Ridgeline Look Like The New Passport?

Total Honda sales reached 95,391 for the month, which is virtually unchanged from last September at just 0.3 percent lower. Looking at the bigger picture, year-to-date deliveries are up 4.1 percent. Passport demand has been a major driver, with sales up 75.5 percent for the year and a striking 108.8 percent for September alone. Nearly 80 percent of buyers are choosing the rugged TrailSport trim, suggesting that Honda’s more adventurous positioning has struck a chord.

SUV Strength

The CR-V continued its domination with over 28,000 sales in September, more than half of which were hybrids, while the Pilot and HR-V chipped in another 20,000 sales combined. On the passenger car side, Honda sold almost 30,000 sedans and coupes in September.

Accord and Civic hybrids made up 47 percent and 36 percent respectively. Electrified models in general set a new monthly record (32,387), thanks in part to the rollout of the Prologue EV.

Acura’s Mixed Bag

Acura, meanwhile, moved 9,706 vehicles in the ninth month of the year. That’s actually a drop in sales year over year of 2.2 percent. The Integra held firm at sales of over 1,500 units. The MDX and RDX combined for over 4,800 deliveries, and the ADX is, according to the brand, “capturing a segment-leading nearly 30% of retail sales”.

On the downside, the ZDX continues to be the white elephant in the lineup, experiencing a 61.3 percent drop in September sales year over year. While that might sound excessive, in cold hard units, that’s a drop from 979 units in 2024 to just 395 this year.

Since the start of the year, Acura has delivered only 11,915 examples. To put that into perspective, Honda has already sold more than three times as many Prologues in the same period. With numbers that lopsided, it is not surprising production of the ZDX has already been cut short.

Faraday Future is back in the news, but not for the reasons it would prefer. Early on the morning of September 28, an early FF91 prototype caught fire in the company’s headquarters. Nobody was hurt, but we can’t say the same for the building, which is now off-limits for workers.

More: This Used Faraday Future FF 91 Sold For $235,000

The Los Angeles Fire Department received a call at 4:37 a.m. about the blaze and managed to extinguish it within 40 minutes, says TechCrunch. Sprinklers inside the building helped slow the fire, but not before an explosion blew out part of a wall. Firefighters had to force entry into the building, and once the fire was out, an inspector red-tagged the property.

Early Prototype Up in Smoke

After the fire, the company quickly moved to temper concerns with a public statement. It stressed that the battery pack wasn’t involved and pointed out that the vehicle in question was an old prototype.

Internally referred to as B40, the company said the car is about nine years old and that “its interior materials do not meet the flammability standards of production vehicles. This beta prototype is entirely different from FF 91 production vehicles, and therefore, we believe this incident will not result in any recall of production models.”

The brand will conduct a full investigation, and for now, they think the fire started due to a short circuit in the showroom wiring itself or a loose connection in the vehicle’s 12-volt system.

Not the First Fire

This isn’t the first time Faraday Future has faced a blaze involving one of its test cars. Back in 2022, another prototype reportedly went up in flames, though few details ever emerged about that event other than a set of photos. For a company already fighting for stability, each incident adds to a growing cloud of doubt.

The latest fire comes at an especially volatile time for the embattled company.

Statement on Fire Incident at Faraday Future Satellite Office Building

In the early morning of Sunday, September 28 (PST), a fire occurred at FF’s satellite office building at our U.S. headquarters. The company attaches great importance to this matter and would like to provide…

— Faraday Future (@FaradayFuture) September 30, 2025

After the FF91 turned out to be a flop, Faraday Future has been working on plans to federalize and sell a Chinese-made van with a screen on its face. In recent months, it’s come under fire for a controversial crypto-related pivot and for allegedly missing payments for the property where the fire happened. The lease ended at the end of September.

While the company says the fire poses no risk to production vehicles, it’s certainly not going to restore trust or confidence in owners, landlords, and shareholders alike. 

Source: Faraday Future, Techcrunch

Ford just posted its seventh straight month of growth and capped off a successful third quarter. It wasn’t just one or two models that did the heavy lifting, either. Not only were traditional ICE vehicles like Bronco, Explorer, and Expedition big hits, but electrified cars, trucks, and SUVs smashed records. Here’s a look at the details.

More: Ford Sold More Than Twice As Many Electric Mustangs As Gas Ones

During the quarter, Ford and Lincoln sold a combined 85,789 electrified vehicles, which include both hybrid and pure battery-electric vehicles (BEV). That’s up 19.8 percent compared to last year, and it made up 15.7 percent of the brand’s sales mix. Last quarter, electrified cars made up just 13.5 percent of sales.

No doubt, some, well, scratch that, most of those sales came from buyers eager to grab a tax credit before it expired on September 30. Ford and GM, however, seem to have found a loophole to keep it alive a little longer, as we reported yesterday.

Battery Gains Build Momentum

That’s backed up in part by the huge gains Ford saw in its BEV sales. It delivered 30,612 EVs in the quarter. That’s a 30.2 percent increase over the same time period in 2024. Leading the way was the Mustang Mach-E, which recorded its best quarter since launching in 2020, climbing 50.7 percent to 20,177 units. The F-150 Lightning also posted a record quarter with 10,005 trucks sold. That’s up almost 40 percent.

Hybrids still make up the majority of Ford’s electrified sales. They accounted for 55,177 sales. The F-150 Hybrid continued its reign as the best-selling full-size hybrid truck in America with 22,212 sales. The Maverick Hybrid continued to dominate the midsize hybrid pickup segment with 63,516 sales, an 11.5 percent increase.

Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Model e, said the results highlight the company’s balance across powertrains. “We saw strong performance in gas, hybrid, and electrified powertrains, while at the same time growing our paid software solutions, all embedded in vehicles such as Expedition, Explorer, and F-150.”

Balancing Old and New

While some big automakers are pivoting around a shifting market, Ford seems on track to move from strength to strength. It’ll likely outsell GM and Stellantis combined with regard to electrified sales this year. And it’s managing that while ICE-powered vehicles see success as well.

Tesla’s facelift of the Model Y SUV hasn’t proved enough to halt a decline in sales, but from this week, there’s a fresh reason to give the automaker’s showrooms some of your time. The range-topping Model Y Performance is officially on sale in the US, and at just $57,490, it looks like a seriously good value for what it puts on the table.

If you’d rather lease the flagship Model Y Performance, Tesla’s current terms start with a $4,300 down payment and $635 per month for 36 months with a 10,000-mile annual limit. Opting for a shorter 24-month lease bumps the payment to $745 per month. The down payment is flexible, however, and can drop as low as $1,427 depending on how you structure the deal.

Related: Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips

For that money, you get a bi-motor, all-wheel drive, five-seat SUV that can explode from zero to 60 mph (97 kmh) in just 3.3 seconds, tops out at 155 mph (250 kmh), and has a 308-mile (496 km) range. That compares with 4.6 seconds, 125 mph (201 kmh), and 327 miles (526 km) for the next Model Y down, the $48,990 Long Range All-Wheel Drive.

If you don’t care about the more explosive performance and a selection of other goodies like the body-hugging front sport seats and the improved suspension with adaptive damping that promises to offer a better handling and ride, you’re better off pocketing the $8,500 difference and opting for the Long Range AWD instead.

Options? What Options

Tesla doesn’t offer many options for the Performance, giving buyers the choice of six colors at no extra cost and no alternative wheel selections other than the standard 21-inch Arachnid 2.0 rims. The only really pricey available add-on is the over-promising Full Self-Driving package for $8,000, though buyers can inflate their bill with stuff like a roof rack and air mattress.

We already knew some of the Performance tech details, plus how much it cost in Europe, but until now, US prices remained an unknown quantity. At $57.5k, the Performance massively undercuts Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N, which costs $66,200, but not Ford’s Mustang Mach-E in GT trim. One of those is only $54,495, but it is also half a second slower to 60 mph and has a poor 280-mile range. Then again, the 5N, which does match the Y against the clock, is rated at a pathetic 221 miles (356 km).

Though various states, such as Colorado, offer EV incentives that can bring the price of a Performance lower, the federal EV tax credit program finished at the end of September, having been axed by President Trump. That means no opportunity for a chunky $7,500 discount. And it also means leasing a Tesla just got more expensive.

Lease Prices Jump

Although Tesla so far hasn’t changed the MSRPs of its other cars, it did raise leasing prices when the tax credit availability expired, Reuters reports. Lease deals for the Model Y RWD and AWD jumped from a range of $479-$529 to $529-$599 a month. Meanwhile, Model 3 lease prices, including the Performance, jumped from a range of $349 to $699 to $429 to $759 per month.

Tesla

Rumors of the Volvo EM90 minivan launching in the United States have kicked into overdrive after the company made a recent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Not only that, but the vehicle depicted in the patent images appears to be a plug-in hybrid, while the EM90 introduced in China is all-electric.

Read: New Volvo XC70 Dumps Its Wagon Past And Goes Full Crossover

Car and Driver spotted the filings and noted that the the Volvo EM90’s design is nearly identical to its Chinese counterpart, save for one detail that stands out. While the EV wears its charging port on the left rear quarter, the U.S. patent drawings add an extra flap on the right rear side.

What’s Behind The Extra Flap?

That second hatch led to speculation that the model in question could be hiding a fuel filler, keeping the charging port in its original place and thereby creating a plug-in hybrid setup. On the other hand, several manufacturers, Audi among them, have opted for dual charging ports on their electric models to make public charging easier. With that in mind, Volvo could just as easily be following a similar path with the EM90.

Volvo’s Hybrid Plans

The emergence of this patent prompted suggestions that a plug-in hybrid EM90 could be the new hybrid Volvo has been promising to build at its Charleston factory in South Carolina. However, in a statement issued in response to the original story, Volvo denied any plans of selling the EM90 in the US and downplayed the possibility of it being the hybrid to be built in the US.

“[Volvo does] not have any plans to bring EM90 to the U.S. [Volvo] will share more details about the future hybrid to come to our Charleston plant at a later date,” the automaker said.

Of course, this begs the question as to why Volvo went to the trouble of patenting the vehicle in the US if it has no intention of selling it locally? It may have done so on the off chance that it reconsiders and decides to sell the EM90 in the United States.

It’s been eight long years since Tesla promised the second-generation Roadster, and yet the car still doesn’t exist outside of renders, prototypes, and Elon’s Twitter, err, sorry, X feed. Back in 2017, Tesla managed to talk plenty of people into dropping $5,000 for a reservation, followed by another $45,000 as a deposit, all with the confident assurance that production would begin in 2020.

The Refund Maze

For years, people have quietly wondered how you cancel a Roadster reservation, assuming anyone at Tesla would, you know, actually pick up the phone. Thanks to YouTuber Marquess Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, we finally know what the process looks like. Predictably, it’s a bit of a mess. Still, reservation holders can get their money back, even if it takes some persistence.

Read: 8 Years Later, Tesla’s Still Taking $50K Roadster Reservations Musk Promised For 2020

While speaking on a recent podcast, Brownlee said that he paid the $50,000 deposit for a next-gen Roadster when it was first announced in late 2017. When he later decided to cancel, he followed the required steps on the Tesla app and was given a phone number, but when he reached out, his call went straight to voicemail. When he did finally speak with someone, they said they didn’t know how to cancel the order, but assured him that they’d work out how to do it.

Money In, Money Out

Eventually, Tesla was able to confirm to Brownlee that he would receive the refund, but only for the $45,000 deposit, and not the initial $5,000 reservation fee that he had paid. Roughly a week after first sharing the story, the YouTuber took to X to reveal that Tesla had, in fact, also refunded him the $5,000, perhaps after realizing that its own website confirms this $5,000 is “fully refundable.”

The money paid to Tesla by Brownlee, as well as others who have placed deposits on the Roadster, may have been used by the electric automaker to help fund the development costs of the car, as well as other models. Either that, or it has been sitting in an account somewhere collecting interest over the past eight years.

Fun fact, had Brownlee put that $50,000 into Tesla stock back in 2017, when shares were around $22 a piece, instead of reserving a piece of vaporware, he’d be looking at more than $1 million today with the price sitting at $454 on October 1!

At a time when prices of new cars keep climbing out of reach for many households, Italy has launched a surprisingly generous scrappage scheme that makes some EVs almost absurdly affordable. Under the program, low-income buyers who trade in a car registered before 2015 could drive home in a brand-new Dacia Spring for as little as €3,900 (about $4,600 at current exchange rates).

The €597 million ($700 million) initiative is designed to increase electric car sales to at least 39,000 units by June 2026. Right now, fully electric vehicles represent only 5.2% of Italy’s market, far behind the European Union average of 15.8%.

More: The Cheapest Peugeot 308 Has Something You’ll Miss In Pricier Trims

To qualify for the full €11,000 ($12,900) discount, prospective EV buyers must scrap a Euro 5 (or earlier) vehicle, live in an urban area with more than 50,000 residents, and have a family income below €30,000 ($35,200). Households earning up to €40,000 ($46,900) can still access a reduced €9,000 ($10,600) bonus. Small companies also benefit, with subsidies covering 30% of an EV’s cost capped at €20,000 ($23,500) per new vehicle.

Pocket-Sized Prices

Dacia has trimmed the Italian starting price of the Spring EV from €17,900 ($21,000) to €14,900 ($17,500). With the full scrappage bonus applied, the figure falls to the headline-grabbing €3,900 ($4,600). That entry point is for the Essential Electric 45 trim, equipped with a 44 hp (33 kW / 45 PS) motor and a 26.8 kWh battery, good for a range of 225 km (140 miles).

Stellantis has also dropped the cost of the Leapmotor T03 from €18,900 ($22,200) to €15,900 ($18,700), meaning it can be purchased for €4,900 ($5,800) under the same scheme. As reported by Autonews, the Chinese brand claims that the heavily discounted price is “less than what you paid for your bicycle.”

More: Kia’s K4 Just Struck A Killer Blow To The VW Golf

Electric vehicles from other automakers are also eligible under the same scheme. Fiat offers the 500e from €9,950 ($11,700) and the electric version of the Grande Panda from €11,950 ($14,000). The closely-related Citroen e-C3 starts at €12,900 ($15,100), while the spacious e-C3 Aircross SUV is now offered from a discounted €15,790 ($18,500).

These prices are undeniably attractive, but the strict eligibility requirements mean the incentives only reach a narrow slice of the population. For now, the question is whether the subsidy will genuinely reshape Italy’s car market or simply deliver a short-term boost among those who qualify.

Citroen

Transporting students with special needs is one of the most complex and critical responsibilities school districts face. Beyond the obvious challenge of getting students safely from home to school and back again, transportation directors must also consider medical requirements, mobility equipment, individualized education plans (IEPs), specialized training for drivers and aides, and the need for clear communication with families. For decades, these demands have placed enormous pressure on transportation departments, often with limited resources.

This is where Transfinder steps in, offering solutions that give districts the tools they need to ensure every student—especially those with special needs—receives safe, reliable, and personalized transportation.

Precision in Routing and Scheduling

For students with special needs, transportation is not one-size-fits-all. Some students may require a shorter ride to minimize stress, while others may need vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts or space for medical devices. Traditional routing methods often struggle to accommodate these individualized requirements.

Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS software transforms how districts plan and adjust routes. Transportation staff can enter detailed information about each student’s unique needs—whether that involves proximity to a school entrance, a preference for curb-to-curb pickup, or specific vehicle accommodations. Knowing a student’s unique needs and balancing social considerations for that child is important. The system then builds routes that respect these requirements, balancing efficiency with personalization.

For example, if a child has a sensory sensitivity and cannot be on the bus for more than 20 minutes, Routefinder PLUS allows planners to create a route that honors that limitation. If another student requires a bus with air-conditioning due to a medical condition, the system ensures the student is assigned to the appropriate vehicle. These details, once managed manually and prone to error, are now built into the daily operation.

Flexibility When Needs Change

Students’ needs often evolve throughout the school year. A new medical diagnosis, a change in therapy schedules, or even a family move can dramatically impact transportation. Traditionally, making these changes meant long hours of reworking routes and notifying families.

With Transfinder, those adjustments happen quickly and accurately. Transportation staff can easily reassign a student to a different route or vehicle, while the system automatically recalculates times, distances, and driver assignments. Parents are informed immediately through Stopfinder, Transfinder’s parent communication app, which provides real-time updates about their child’s transportation.

For families of students with special needs, this peace of mind is invaluable. Parents know their child’s safety and comfort are always at the center of planning, and they can track buses on a map or receive notifications if a vehicle is delayed.

Supporting Drivers and Aides

Transporting students with special needs requires more than just the right route—it requires well-informed drivers and aides. They must know which students may require extra assistance boarding, which may need a calm and quiet environment, and which have medical considerations.

Transfinder equips staff with the information they need. Through mobile solutions like Wayfinder, drivers can receive turn-by-turn directions as well as notes about student needs. This reduces stress for substitute drivers, who may not be familiar with a particular route or group of students. Instead of relying on memory or binders of paper notes, all critical details are available at their fingertips.

This not only improves safety but also ensures continuity of care. If a student typically rides with a familiar driver but that driver is unavailable, substitutes can step in with the same level of preparedness and confidence.

Reducing Ride Times, Increasing Comfort

One of the biggest concerns parents express about special needs transportation is long ride times. Spending excessive time on a bus can be overwhelming or even harmful for certain students.

Transfinder’s optimization tools help districts reduce unnecessary mileage and minimize student ride times. By analyzing traffic patterns, student locations, and school start times, the software creates routes that are efficient without compromising individual needs. The result is students arriving at school calmer, less fatigued, and more ready to learn.

Compliance and Accountability

Federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) place specific obligations on districts regarding special education services, including transportation. Failure to meet these obligations can result in complaints or even legal challenges.

Transfinder helps districts stay compliant by maintaining detailed records of routes, assignments, and accommodations. If questions arise about whether a student’s transportation needs are being met, transportation directors have the data to demonstrate compliance. This transparency not only protects districts but also reassures families that their children’s needs are being taken seriously.

A Human Difference Through Technology

At its core, Transfinder’s mission is not just about buses and routes—it’s about students. For districts serving special needs populations, that mission carries extra weight. The technology provides tools, but the ultimate result is human: a student who arrives safely at school, a parent who feels confident in their district, and a driver who is empowered to provide excellent care.

Districts that partner with Transfinder often report reduced stress for staff, improved relationships with families, and better outcomes for students. One transportation director put it simply: “With Transfinder, we can focus less on the logistics and more on the children.”

Conclusion

Transporting students with special needs is one of the most demanding and important services a district provides. By combining precise routing, real-time flexibility, parent communication, and staff support, Transfinder ensures that every child’s journey to and from school is safe, dignified, and tailored to their individual needs.

With Transfinder, districts don’t just move students from point A to point B—they deliver peace of mind, equity, and opportunity.

To learn more about Transfinder technology and support, visit Transfinder.com, email solutions@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

The post Finding the Right Route: How Transfinder Helps Districts Transport Students with Special Needs appeared first on School Transportation News.

Safety has always been the top priority in student transportation, but for special education, it carries added weight. These buses serve students who require closer supervision and stronger family communication, making safety more important. Radios and reports still help, but new technologies are giving transportation leaders the ability to act in real time.

At Royse City ISD (RCISD) in Texas, that shift has meant embracing AI-powered cameras and live video to provide the extra layer of support their riders with disabilities need.

Royse City ISD: A District on the Rise

Royse City ISD transports over 8,000 students each week across three rapidly growing counties near Dallas, including more than 800 with special needs. Executive Director of Transportation Cody Cox, a lifelong student transportation professional who started as a bus driver, leads the operation.

As the district grows, so will its transportation needs. The district grows by about 1,000 students annually, forcing the purchase of new vehicles to meet both growth and replacement needs. The challenge with such rapid expansion is maintaining the same quality of safety for every student while also meeting the area’s transportation demands. This remains especially true for RCISD’s special education vehicle fleet, and is what prompted Cox to search for an effective solution.

Turning to Technology for Support

Transporting students with special needs requires extra care. These riders may need closer supervision, and drivers must balance safe operations with clear communication and visibility into what happens on board. For districts, the challenge is finding ways to provide that extra support while maintaining efficiency across the fleet.

For Royse City ISD, rapid growth made this challenge even more pressing. To strengthen safety protocols across its special education fleet, which includes SUVs, vans, and buses, Cody Cox began looking for technology that was versatile, reliable, and cost-effective.

“I was looking for a solution that was more cost-effective without losing any of the features of our larger DVRs,” Cox explained.

Earlier this year, the district piloted Safety Vision’s SafeDrive-AI 2, pairing its dual-camera driver system with four additional interior and exterior cameras to provide real-time awareness and added coverage across its diverse fleet of special education vehicles.

For Cox’s team, live-streaming from vehicles carrying high-needs students provided critical reassurance. Dispatchers could monitor in real time, step in quickly, and support onboard staff when needed. At the same time, AI-powered alerts from SafeDrive-AI 2 added another layer of protection, helping drivers identify potential risks on the road. Recorded video also proved essential, giving the district an objective account of incidents and concerns.

“Footage is very important to investigate situations and concerns,” Cox said. “It often gives us a better understanding of what was going on so we can provide better support to staff and students.”

(Article continues after video.)

Advice for Districts Considering Safety Technology

Looking ahead, RCISD has committed to outfitting its new special education vehicles and white fleet vehicles with the SafeDrive AI 2 system piloted earlier this year. For Cox, the decision reflects not only the benefits his team has already seen but also the long-term value of proactive safety tools. His advice to other districts is straightforward: “I would recommend they try them on new vehicles or retrofit some vehicles to see just how great the coverage is for the cost.”

By starting small, he suggests districts can experience firsthand how live video, AI alerts, and recorded footage work together to enhance safety without a major upfront investment. The system’s flexibility is another advantage because it can be customized and scaled to fit any fleet size. For a growing district like RCISD, partnering with a provider that can expand with their needs is key to ensuring lasting safety across all student transportation vehicles.

Technology as a Long-Term Safety Partner

Student safety will always be the cornerstone of school transportation, but for special education fleets, that responsibility comes with unique requirements. Royse City ISD’s experience shows how technology can play a pivotal role in meeting those requirements. By giving dispatchers real-time visibility and providing drivers with timely support they can be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to the safety of all students and staff.

As districts of all sizes continue to face growth, tighter budgets, and increasing expectations from parents and communities, tools like live video and AI-powered alerts are helping transportation teams move from reacting to incidents to preventing them. For leaders like Cody Cox, the message is clear: scalable, customizable solutions aren’t just add-ons, they’re becoming essential partners in ensuring safe, reliable transportation for every student, every day.

Learn more at safetyvision.com.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

The post Growing Safely: How Royse City ISD Protects Special Needs Riders appeared first on School Transportation News.

For district leaders, student safety and cost-efficiency are paramount during daily pupil transport. However, if a district only has telematics for school bus GPS tracking, they’re missing deeper insights that can help them better protect their students and drivers, reduce expenses and take better care of their buses.

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