# Jeffco Deploys Bidirectional Buses in Colorado

Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) has placed six IC electric school buses and six bidirectional chargers into service in Lakewood, Colorado. Xcel Energy provided $3.4 million through its Electric School Bus Program to support the district’s transition, while Highland Electric Fleets is delivering the buses, charging infrastructure, and long-term services through an Electrification-as-a-Service model. The broader Colorado program supports 38 buses and 30 bidirectional charging systems, signaling demand for integrated fleet electrification and grid-connected charging solutions.

- The deployment combines vehicles, charging equipment, and long-term services in one Electrification-as-a-Service model, a structure relevant to districts assessing bundled procurement and operating arrangements.
- The $3.4 million is program funding; the signal does not establish that the full amount is a project-specific allocation to Jeffco.
- Fleet, charging, and grid-integration providers can use the 38-bus, 30-system statewide program scale as evidence of Colorado’s deployment activity, but the signal does not identify an open solicitation or a future award.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Transportation, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco Public Schools)

### Vendors
- Highland Electric Fleets (Electrification-as-a-Service provider delivering buses, charging infrastructure, and long-term fleet services)
- IC (Electric school bus manufacturer)

### Key Quotes
> Replacing just five diesel buses with electric school buses can reduce pediatric asthma risk for 1,500 students, while bidirectional technology creates the potential for those same buses to serve as mobile energy assets when they aren’t on the road
> — Brian Buccella, Chief Commercial Officer, Highland Electric Fleets

> These new electric buses will deliver cleaner air for our students and schools while giving us a hands-on look at how innovative energy solutions can benefit our entire Lakewood community
> — Jeff Gatlin, Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson County Public Schools

> Through our Electric School Bus Program, we’re helping school districts like Jefferson County Public Schools invest in cleaner transportation today while gaining valuable experience with technologies that can strengthen and add flexibility to the grid in the years ahead
> — Robert Kenney, President, Xcel Energy, Colorado

### Sources
- [Charged EVs | Colorado school district commissions six electric school buses with bidirectional charging - Charged EVs](https://chargedevs.com/newswire/colorado-school-district-commissions-six-electric-school-buses-with-bidirectional-charging) - Charged EVs