Green Initiative

Driving Toward a Cleaner Future

At Schmitty & Sons, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a responsibility. As a leading transportation provider, we recognize the vital role we play in reducing our environmental impact and building a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.

That’s why we’re committed to continuous improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and environmentally responsible operations across every division of our business.

Why Travel By Bus?

Choosing to travel by bus isn’t just convenient—it’s one of the most environmentally responsible decisions you can make.

At Schmitty & Sons, we’re committed to sustainability and proud to offer transportation options that significantly reduce emissions and traffic congestion. Buses are among the most fuel-efficient forms of passenger travel, and every full coach can remove up to 55 cars from the road.

According to the American Bus Association:

“Motorcoaches are twice as fuel-efficient as flying and far more efficient than driving alone. One gallon of fuel can move a motorcoach more than 200 passenger miles.”

By riding together, we all help lower greenhouse gases, reduce fuel use, and create a cleaner, greener future.

*Many additional statistics are available for this page to show how passenger transportation is more environmentally safe than other transportation modes—source from ABA and UMA.

Battery-Electric Buses

Schmitty & Sons is proud to lead the charge in clean transportation with Minnesota’s first fully battery-electric school bus, introduced in 2017. Powered by 100% renewable energy through the Revolt program, this groundbreaking vehicle represents our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Today, we continue to expand our electric fleet and actively engage with communities to promote the future of zero-emission transportation. Our electric bus is also available for private events upon request.

Environmental Building Initiatives

At Schmitty & Sons, sustainability doesn’t stop with our vehicles—it’s built into the very foundation of our facilities. From energy-efficient lighting to eco-friendly heating systems, we’ve integrated green solutions across our operations to reduce environmental impact. Our buildings feature LED lighting with automated controls, an innovative system to reduce block heater energy use in winter, and heating fueled by recycled fluids in full compliance with EPA standards. We also use biodegradable soaps in all vehicle washes, minimizing runoff and supporting a cleaner environment.

Fleet and Operator Emissions Reduction

Reducing emissions across our fleet is a key part of Schmitty & Sons’ sustainability mission. We enforce a strict idle-reduction policy, supported by onboard GPS and diagnostics to monitor compliance in real time. Our drivers receive ongoing training focused on eco-conscious driving practices and emission reduction. We also maintain optimal tire pressure to improve fuel efficiency and equip our buses with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, which can cut harmful NOx emissions by up to 90%.