The Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD) this week unveiled its new electric school buses with a ribbon-cutting event held Tuesday.

VWSD officials in January announced the partnership with Waters Trucks and IC Bus to deploy eight battery-electric school buses. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the district’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and student safety, VWSD officials said.

“This partnership reflects our dedication to providing our students with the best possible learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom,” VWSD Transportation Director Kimberly Taylor said. “By embracing innovative technologies like electric buses, we’re investing in the future of our students and our community.”

Following the announcement, Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps said the buses are a step in the right direction for both sustainability and safety.

“The Vicksburg Fire Department is fully equipped and vigilant in supporting the rollout of new electric buses from the Vicksburg Warren School District,” Stamps said. “Our commitment is to safeguard our community with pride and professionalism. With expertly trained personnel and state-of-the-art equipment, we strive to protect lives and preserve property while fostering a sense of security and trust among residents. Your safety is not just our duty; it is our mission.”

Stamps said, while the debate between gas and electric vehicles will no doubt continue for the foreseeable future, the electric buses provide advantages that cannot be overlooked.

“One notable advantage of the new electric buses is that they are powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries, which offer excellent thermal and chemical stability,” he said. “These batteries remain cooler at higher temperatures and have a lower risk of combustion compared to lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in most electric vehicles and tend to have a higher flammability rate.”

During Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, VWSD Communications Director Marcus James said officials are excited for the students and bus drivers alike.

“I would like to take this time to thank our bus drivers,” James said. “They are the first people to see our students before our educators see our students, so we appreciate the hard work that you all put in day in and day out.”

VWSD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Cedric Magee also expressed his excitement over the new unveiling.

“I look forward to seeing our buses on the road serving our students and our community,” he said.