Jerrod KingeryMaryland is looking to expand the use of electric school buses across the state.
As part of a $90 million climate pledge, The Maryland Energy Administration is allocating millions in funding for an electric bus program that will help cut emissions tied to climate change and improve the health of the state’s schoolchildren.
The Maryland Electric School Bus program is reimbursing eligible applicants for the purchase of electric school buses, charging infrastructure and associated costs.
Eligible applicants, which include local school districts as well as private school bus vendors operating on behalf of local education agencies, can be reimbursed up to 85% of the cost of purchasing qualified electric school buses.
Each grantee may receive up to $1.5 million, with an increased cap of $2 million for income-qualified applicants or large school districts.
Priority will be given to projects benefiting Title I Schools and underserved communities, the state noted.
The vehicles must be purchased new to qualify for the program, not retrofitted or repowered.
“The Maryland Electric School Bus Grant Program represents a convergence of the state’s climate, equity and economic goals. The program enables Maryland communities to overcome the initial costs associated with the shift to cleaner vehicles so that they can receive the long-term savings that come with reduced fuel and maintenance costs,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “Because of this program, our kids will breathe cleaner air and our return on the investment of public funds will expand. That’s a clear win-win for Maryland.”
The window for the Fiscal Year 2025 program is open until 3 p.m. EST on Feb. 14, 2025.
Full details on eligibility and guidelines for the program are available here.
Photo courtesy Pierre5018
