Boston Public Schools is adding another major block of depot-scale DC fast chargers as it pushes toward a fully electric bus fleet, highlighting the growing importance of charging infrastructure for large fleets in the Northeast region. The project, valued at $4 million, will see 105 DC fast chargers installed at the district's Freeport Bus Yard, marking one of the largest single-site school bus charging installations in the region. This initiative is part of Boston's effort to electrify all 750 of its roughly 750 school buses, a program described as the largest school bus electrification initiative in the Northeast.
The chargers will utilize an above-ground mounting approach that relies on Jersey barriers rather than traditional trenching, a setup increasingly common for large bus and fleet depots where speed, cost control, and service access often take precedence over aesthetics. This design choice is consistent with Orion Energy Systems' previous work on Boston school bus charging projects, which have utilized the same above-ground mounting approach to speed installation and minimize site disruption. The project is being handled by Orion's Voltrek division, one of the company's largest customers.
Boston Public Schools has partnered with Orion and Voltrek on multiple projects tied to its transition to electric buses, solidifying the district as a key player in the company's fleet electrification efforts. This initiative is not an isolated event, but rather part of a broader trend of charging infrastructure development for large fleets in the Northeast region. The company is involved in several other fleet electrification projects across the Northeast, including municipal deployments and electric van charging for school districts.
As the charging market continues to mature, depot charging for buses, delivery vans, and municipal fleets is emerging as a critical segment that requires significant investment. With public DC fast charging still receiving most of the attention, depot charging is quietly becoming one of the most capital-intensive segments of the market. The growth of this segment is expected to be significant, with predictions suggesting an 8% growth in the US EV charging market by 2026.
This growth will likely be driven by increasing demand for electric vehicles and alternative fuel options among fleets, as well as government incentives and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As such, it is essential for fleet operators to plan ahead and invest in the necessary charging infrastructure to meet these growing demands.