School Bus Sector Workgroup
About
School bus emissions harm one of the most vulnerable populations: children. This page provides information on funding opportunities for a variety of school bus replacement projects, including low and zero emission school bus deployment, and information on how your school district can get cleaner school buses. West Coast Collaborative (WCC) also funds a variety of School Bus Projects and administers EPA funding programs such as the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) Clean School Bus programs.
Funding
What is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Clean School Bus Program?
Need funding to upgrade your old diesel school bus? Learn about EPA’s Clean School Bus Program!
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $5 billion over five years (FY22-26) for the replacement of existing school buses with low-and zero-emission school buses. The Clean School Bus Program offers rebates and grants to eligible entities for the replacement of existing school buses with low-and zero-emission school buses.
Who's Eligible to Apply? Eligible entities include:
- State or Local Governmental Entities that are responsible for providing school bus service to one or more public school systems or purchase of school buses;
- Eligible Contractors - For profit, not-for-profit, or nonprofit entity that has the capacity to sell clean school buses, zero-emission buses, charging or fueling infrastructure, or other equipment needed to charge, fuel, or maintain clean or zero-emission school buses or arrange financing for such a sale;
- Nonprofit School Transportation Associations; and
- Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Tribally-Controlled Schools that are responsible for providing school bus service to one or more Bureau-funded schools or Purchase of school buses.
More information can be found at EPA's Clean School Bus Program website.
Other Funding for School Buses
Note: Always check program guidelines for additional funding stacking restrictions. Two or more federal grant programs cannot cover the same piece of equipment, however stacking funds with different administrative levels is usually permissible (such as federal and state, or federal and local). WCC is unable to list all potential funding programs and encourages those interested in seeking grant funding to also research local grant opportunities.
| Program | Funding Source | Max Per Bus | Stacking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DERA - National | Federal | 45% of cost | Local and State – yes | Requires a public agency sponsor |
| Clean School Bus Program | Federal | $375,000, as of 2022 rebate program | Local and State - yes | The maximum funding amount per bus is dependent on Bus Fuel Type, Bus Size, and Whether the school district served by the buses meets one or more prioritization criteria. CSB Program offers rebates and grants. |
| California's Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) | State | $210,000 | Local and Federal – yes | Requires an executed, binding PO to submit; must work with an approved dealer |
|
California's Carl Moyer Program *CA air districts administer the Carl Moyer Program see your air district website for more info |
State | Funding may vary by air district | Local, State and Federal – yes | As an example, the Carl Moyer funding that is administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) funds up to $400,000 per bus and currently has a cost effectiveness cap of $276,230 per weighted ton |
| California VW Program for Buses | State | $400,000 or 75% of cost | Local and Federal – yes | Currently not available for school buses; funding remains for transit and shuttle buses and timing for school bus funding is unknown |
| Idaho DEQ– Vehicle Replacement Program | Settlement Funding | Between 25% and 45% rebate | Non-stackable |
Rebate amount is dependent on new vehicle technology selected and whether participant is Government or Non-Government. Utilizes state and national DERA grants and VW funding for the VRP. The VW settlement funding is a settlement fund and is not considered state or federal funding |
| Oregon DEQ - Diesel School Bus Replacement Program | State | 100% of costs for exhaust controls, or up to $50,000 or 30% of replacement cost | Local and State - Yes | VW funds are eligible to be stacked with local and state dollars however they are subject to limitations that do not allow them to be stacked with DERA funding |
EPA's Clean School Bus Webinar Series
Utilities and Schools
These webinars provided an overview of the CSBP rebate funding opportunity, program eligibility and additional application information. Utilities discussed considerations for school bus and fleet electrification, including topics such as energy use, rates, charging equipment and incentives.
Arizona
California
Nevada
Deployment Considerations
This webinar provided lessons learned by school districts in the region when implementing electric, propane and CNG buses. This webinar featured speakers from school districts, air districts and manufactures who shared experience deploying clean school buses. Covers topics such as successes, challenges, lessons learned and other considerations when deciding which type of bus replacement would be best suited for your school bus fleet needs.
Highlighted Work
Electric School Buses & the EPA Clean School Bus Program
Hosted by Alliance for Electric School Buses, World Resources Institute's (WRI's) Electric School Bus Initiative
Electric School Bus Webinar Series: EV Fleet Experiences and Lessons Learned
Hosted by Southeastern Team Reducing the Impacts of Diesel Emissions (STRIDE) Collaborative
- V2G Webinar Recording
Provided an overview of how the power stored in the battery of an electric school bus or electric commercial vehicle can be used by the electric utility to supplement power to the electric grid, and/or by the vehicle owner for peak shaving and emergency service. This type of distributed power resource is commonly referred to as Vehicle to Grid or V2G. - The Power of Partnership Webinar Recording
This webinar focused in on Washington County's experiences deploying an EV bus. There was also a discussion from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation on the public health benefits of going to electric vehicles and the funding opportunities available. The webinar included discussion from a utility provider about how easily electric buses and charging stations can be integrated into a fleet. Together these speakers provided information and the considerations needed to easily and efficiently incorporate these cost-reducing and clean buses into existing fleets. - The Future is Now Webinar Recording
Clean Cities Georgia and the STRIDE Collaborative partnered to bring you the third webinar in STRIDE's Electric School Bus Webinar Series. This webinar featured presentations from electric school bus manufacturers who discussed and demonstrated that electric school buses are no longer a thing of the future, but a technology available and ready for the demands of the present day. Georgia Power also spoke about the Make Ready program which works to help facilitate a smooth transition for the addition of this new technology. Together these speakers demonstrated why the future is now for electric school buses.
WRI's Electric School Buses: Stories from the Field
Hosted by World Resources Institute.
- Recordings and Presentation Slides (English and español)
Disclaimer
Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service, by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favor of West Coast Collaborative or its partners, including the United States Government.