Electric School Buses

Electric School Bus Funding

Truck Voucher Incentive Program- The New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), helps make it easier for fleets to adopt zero-emission vehicle technologies while removing the oldest, dirtiest diesel engines from New York roads.

• NOTE: As of May 27, 2022, NYSERDA will ONLY accept applications for Class 4-8 trucks, transit buses, paratransit shuttle buses, school buses, and port cargo handling equipment that are accompanied by the scrappage of a qualifying pre-2009 vehicle.

• Learn more about NYSERDA’s Truck Voucher Incentive Program here.

Clean Bus Planning Awards

The Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) program reduces barriers to zero-emission bus deployment by providing school and transit bus fleets with free technical assistance to develop comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans.

• NOTE: CBPA is not an incentive program, and fleets do not receive direct funding—rather, selected applicants will be allocated technical assistance resources by NREL.

• One of the objectives of the program is to prepare fleets for electrification. The program may also help set them up for success to pursue federal funding for bus electrification, including the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA’s) Clean School Bus Program and the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA’s) Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program.

• Learn more about the Clean Bus Planning Awards here.

NY School Bus Incentive Program

NYSBIP is a voucher incentive program which will accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses and charging infrastructures throughout New York State. Zero-emission school buses include both electric school buses and hydrogen fuel cell school buses (collectively referred to as ESBs). An additional $200 million is now available from the Bond Act to fund the acquisition of new ESBs and charging infrastructure costs.

• Learn more and register for information sessions here

EPA Clean School Bus Program

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and clean school buses.

• The 2024 CHDV Notice of Funding Opportunity is now open. EPA anticipates approximately 70% of the nearly $1 billion to fund new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses. Applications due by July 25th.

• Learn more about the EPA program here and the CHDV Program grant here

P-12 Clean Green Schools Initiative

Through this program, schools are eligible for ‘Clean Transportation Studies’ which can help districts develop plans for transitioning to electric school buses and EV charging. The program can cover up to 100% of the study, depending on need status and disadvantaged community status.

Learn more here.

Electric School Bus Resources

NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)

Electric School Bus (ESB) Roadmap - An overview of the key challenges, costs, funding mechanisms, and policy options involved in the effort to transition all school buses in New York State to zero-emission operation by 2035. Check out the roadmap.

Electric School Bus (ESB) Guidebook - Information, strategies, and resources to assist school districts, contractors, and other school bus stakeholders with this transition. Guides cover topics like the benefits of electrification, electric school bus and charger purchasing, available incentives, site planning, workforce training, and operations and maintenance of electric school buses. Access the guidebook.

The Electric School Bus Initiative

Clear next steps that every one of us can take, whether we are a member of a school district grappling with big change, or a parent looking to advocate for clean rides for kids. This website provides tools, pitch decks, policy updates and more. Our favorites? Data on electric school bus adoption, the clear connection between electric school bus and equity, and this step-by-step guide to an electric school bus transition. They even offer an implementation template with action steps and timing so no school district has to start from square one.

First Student

First student works with school districts interested in adding electric school buses to their fleet. Check out this article to explore the financial factors to consider when contemplating electric school buses.

A Green Future for Public Transit

Did you know that our very own Regional Transit Service (RTS) has a fleet of battery-electric buses? The Genesee-Finger Lakes region benefits from an electric grid that is almost entirely fossil fuel free, and a public transit system—RTS—that has heavily invested in clean transportation.

Here are some of the benefits of battery-electric buses:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions help combat climate change.

• Zero tailpipe emissions mean clean air for passengers, bystanders and local residents. Diesel exhaust is a known carcinogen and can also cause respiratory diseases such as asthma.

• Battery-electric buses are about 5x more efficient than diesel.

• The power-train has far fewer moving parts than conventional buses with lower expected maintenance costs. Say goodbye to oil changes or oil filter replacements.

• More funding will become available to offset upfront costs

Hear the story of statewide policy change leading to innovation in Rochester, plus the benefits of battery-electric buses, funding sources, and lessons for anyone making the transition.