Electric School Buses Leave Kids Shivering in the Cold

In a small district near Buffalo, kids are facing a chilly surprise on their way to and from school. The issue? New electric school buses that can't keep them warm in winter. Parents are upset because these buses don't have heaters that work well in cold weather. The heaters use the same power as the bus itself, which means less range and sometimes, no heat at all. Parents have started giving their kids hand warmers to help them stay cozy. Some kids have even had to wait outside in freezing temperatures when the buses break down. One parent, Chris Lampman, said his son had to wait over 30 minutes in the cold for a replacement bus. Another grandma, Lynn Urbino, was shocked when her grandson came home freezing after a ride in an unheated bus.The school district has 23 electric buses, most of which were bought with a big federal grant. The superintendent says all buses follow state rules and keep the heat on during trips. But some parents aren't convinced. They argue that the buses aren't reliable in cold weather and that the mandate to switch to electric buses is causing more problems than it solves. This issue has caught the attention of state lawmakers. Some are trying to change the rules so school districts can choose whether to buy electric buses or not. They argue that the mandate is too costly and doesn't take into account the needs of different communities. Meanwhile, big car companies like Ford are also struggling with electric vehicles. Ford recently announced huge losses from its electric vehicle projects, showing that the switch to electric isn't always smooth sailing.