Highland Electric Fleets Backs Louisiana’s Largest Electric School Bus Deployment in New Orleans

New updates have been reported about Highland Electric Fleets.

Highland Electric Fleets has expanded its Electrification-as-a-Service (EaaS) footprint by supporting the deployment of 42 electric school buses for InspireNOLA Charter Schools in New Orleans, now the largest electric school bus fleet in Louisiana. Working with operator A&S Transportation, Highland’s turnkey model underpins daily service for more than 3,000 students across 58 routes covering over 3,400 miles per day, while eliminating upfront capital outlays for the school network through a bundled service that includes vehicles, charging, and related infrastructure. The project is co-funded by awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program and federal tax credits, illustrating how Highland leverages public incentives to accelerate fleet electrification for districts that lack the balance sheet or risk appetite for large-scale EV procurement.

The deployment is anchored by a dedicated charging depot in New Orleans equipped with seven Kempower C800 power cabinets and 52 charge ports, designed for overnight charging and operational flexibility, positioning Highland as the systems integrator managing complex infrastructure as well as long-term performance. Highland’s Chief Commercial Officer, Brian Buccella, emphasized that the transition reduces students’ exposure to diesel exhaust while maintaining the reliability districts require, reinforcing the company’s value proposition around health, sustainability, and service continuity. Strategically, this deal deepens Highland’s presence in the Gulf Coast, adds a high-visibility charter school customer in a major urban market, and provides a replicable blueprint for other school systems seeking to scale electric fleets using third-party financing and operations. For investors and stakeholders, the project signals continued demand for Highland’s EaaS model, incremental recurring revenue potential tied to multi-year service contracts, and further validation of its role as a leading platform in North American school bus electrification.