Even though electric buses have lower energy costs at about $0.213 per mile, over 1,000,000 miles, an electric bus could cost up to $985,782, while a diesel bus may cost as little as $488,000 due to lower upfront costs and no need for $50,000 to $60,000 battery replacements every 175,000 miles. Additionally, the environmental toll of lithium mining for electric bus batteries, which contributes to soil degradation, water shortages, and toxic chemical pollution, makes the long-term sustainability of diesel buses more compelling.