Chalk another idea into the “it just makes sense” column. If all goes as planned in coming years, Massachusetts will ditch the old-fashioned school bus with its pungent diesel fumes in favor of a more efficient and fumes-free bus that runs entirely on electricity.

The state is moving ahead this month with a pilot program that calls for testing electric school bus technology in four communities, including in environmentally conscious Amherst. Each community will get up to $350,000 to buy a bus and charger. The program will be a first on the East Coast, and comes on the heels of a number of electric school buses operating in California and in Quebec, Canada.

Though they are often seen as pollution nightmares and expensive to run, school buses are ideally suited to be electric vehicles. They cover fairly short distances along repetitive routes, and are idle during the rest of the day. This reduces the chances of a bus running out of battery power.

Buses also make frequent stops, allowing electric vehicles to capture some of the energy used in applying the brakes to recharge their batteries and extend their range.

There is an obvious upside in this plan, namely the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use and providing a cleaner environment for the youngest among us. The grants are intended to diminish the state’s petroleum use by about 22,680 gallons of fuel per year, according to state projections.

Part of the project involves using data generated from these pilot districts to analyze the costs and benefits of wider implementation — in other words, will they be economically viable?

Let’s hope so. If successful, other communities may see the wisdom in launching similar programs within their school districts.

Yes, the upfront costs are steep, with electric buses costing roughly twice as much as traditional ones. If the state wants more communities to buy in, it will need to develop ways to help communities advance the program.

But like solar panels and small electric cars, the long-term benefits can be great for the pocketbook as well as the environment.

School buses are special, considering the cargo they hold. But they are also terrible for the environment and a community’s bottom line. This program could go a long way to changing that.