​​ANGOLA, N.Y. — ​The Lake Shore Central School District now has a fully electric powered school bus.

The zero emissions bus is the first of its kind in Western New York.

"Eliminating diesel fuel emissions provides public and environmental health benefits, and electric buses also offer school districts operational savings," said Superintendent Dan Pacos. "The upfront cost of an electric school bus is higher than a diesel, but electric buses cut fuel and maintenance costs in half over the vehicle’s lifetime. We anticipate annual savings of $15,000 in fuel and maintenance costs with the electric bus."

Due to New York state regulations, school districts won’t be able to buy buses that run on diesel fuel in five years. Those buses will then be forced off the road in 10 years.

"With state aid reimbursements and funds cycling in from auctioning off the old buses, we were able to purchase the electric bus at a very reasonable cost to local taxpayers, which will be made up through the annual savings that the bus will generate," Pacos added. "Lake Shore Central School District strives to keep pace with environmentally friendly technology and innovations, so we decided now was the time to give electric buses a try and work out any kinks before we are required to convert our full fleet."

Lake Shore officials say they’re just trying to get ahead of the change.

"By eliminating diesel exhaust emissions, we reduce air pollution and ground level ozone, as well as air quality-related illnesses and asthma,” said District Transportation Supervisor Perry Oddi. "It's not just about decreasing our carbon footprint; it's about having the opportunity to preserve the health and safety of our students and staff."

A big chunk of the cash that the school district needed to purchase this electric bus came from state aid.