Zum Discusses Electrification, Future of Student Transportation at WRI Summit

In photo on top from left: Tracy Warren (Beneficial Electrification League), Kevin Swiat (IC Bus), Pallav Prakash (Zum), Sam DuPont (BGE), Bobby Stafford (WRI Lead)

This week Zūm leadership attended the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Roadmap to 100 Summit, dedicated to developing an equitable path to electrifying U.S. school buses.

Held July 24 in Baltimore, the event brought together policymakers, transportation providers, manufacturers and utilities from across the electric school bus ecosystem.

Pallav Prakash, Zum’s Director of Electrification Program Management, participated in the panel “Advancing Infrastructure,” focusing on electric school bus deployment. The discussion addressed collaboration between utilities and fleet operators, regulatory involvement and managing infrastructure challenges.

Prakash highlighted Zum’s rapid deployment in Oakland Unified School District as the first major U.S. district with a fully electrified bus fleet. He emphasized bidirectional charging benefits and the importance of collective support from federal and state agencies, school districts and others to enhance student health, safety and equity nationwide.

(right) Pallav Prakash with Alejandra Nunez, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Following the summit, attendees were transported to the #RoadmapTo100 Gala at the Baltimore Museum of Industry in a Zum EV bus.

Speakers at the gala included Dewayne J. McClary, Senior Director of Partnerships and Development at Zum.

(right) Jenny Mayfield, Vice President of Communications at Zum, with Sue Gander, Director of the Electric School Bus Initiative at the World Resources Institute

McClary highlighted Zum’s significant achievement in Oakland and underscored the importance of continued collaboration as we move forward together into the future of student transportation.

Thanks to the World Resources Institute and everyone involved in making this event a success!