What does this funding get me?
This is a federal grant and rebate program intended for schools to replace their old school buses with new electric buses.
Am I eligible?
You are eligible if you are a:
- Public school district, with one or more local/state government entities providing school bus service to one or more public school systems or the purchase, lease, license, or contract for service of school buses
- Public charter school district responsible for the above
- Tribal applicant responsible for the above
- Nonprofit school transportation association or eligible contractor
How can I access the money?
The 2023 cycle has closed. Sign up here to get email updates from EPA on 2024 funding.
In the meantime, you can find the full list of application requirements for grants HERE and more information on rebates HERE.
What is the timeline?
For Grants: The application cycle for the 2023 funding year has closed. Awards were announced on January 8, 2024. Check back here for the 2024 funding cycle timeline, which will likely be announced in summer or fall, or sign up here to get email updates from EPA.
If you plan to apply for funding in 2024, we recommend that you register for a grants.gov account as soon as possible. Please see “Information on the Application Process” below for more information and resources.
For Rebates: The 2023 application cycle is closed. The EPA will notify selectees between February and April 2024. Selectees can start purchasing eligible vehicles and equipment once notified of their selection, and must submit payment request forms with purchase orders between April 2024 and October 2024. The project period deadline is April 2026. Check back for future funding rounds or sign up here to get email updates from EPA.
What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?
- The EPA’s Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle grant funds replacement of school buses and other municipal/state/nonprofit heavy duty vehicles, as well as chargers, workforce development, and project implementation costs. Deadline to apply: July 25, 2024.
- Electric School Bus Fund Braiding factsheet from the NC Clean Energy Technology Center shows how different funding sources for EV school buses and chargers can be combined to pay for these projects (with link to a spreadsheet you can download for budgeting)
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities (Renew America’s Schools)
- Clean Vehicle Tax Credit
- Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional incentives that may be offered by your state, local government, or utility, as well as important federal, state, and local policies. For questions regarding DSIRE, contact Justin Lindemann (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) at jplindem@ncsu.edu.
Where can I get more information?
- Information on the Application Process (2023 Year)
- Interactive map of previous awardees under this grant
- World Resource Institute’s map of clean school bus grants awarded through other funding sources
- Webinars on the Clean School Bus Program
- Never applied for a federal grant before? Check out the EPA’s grant management training.
- The NC Clean Energy Technology Center provides technical assistance services related to clean transportation technologies. Click here for more information.
- In addition to the resources listed above, a variety of organizations offer technical assistance that may help you access these funds. They are listed on our Get Help page.
- For specific questions on this program or for more assistance (including questions on more funding opportunities), contact Meech Carter at info@energyfundsforall.org.