Pete HahnloserNew York state is making an additional $200 million is available to school districts and bus operators for zero-emission school buses. This funds come from the second installment of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act).
The funds are provided through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP) and support the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure and fleet electrification planning as public schools shift to zero-emission technologies aimed at reducing pollution.
“Paving the way for zero-emission school buses not only cleans our air, it protects the health and wellbeing of our students,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With increased funding for schools to transition to clean transportation options, we are reducing harmful emissions and pollution, helping to ensure that both students and residents are breathing clean, fresh air and enjoying healthier environments to live, work and do business.”
Managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the NYSBIP program offers incentives to eligible school districts and bus fleet operators for purchasing electric buses. It also provides charging vouchers and funds for developing fleet electrification plans.
The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with incentives covering up to 100% of the incremental cost of a new or repowered zero-emission school bus, depending on the vehicle type, making the cost of an electric bus comparable to that of a gas or diesel bus. Charging vouchers can help offset the cost of installing fast chargers. Additionally, all school districts in New York State are eligible for funding to create fleet electrification plans, to find district-appropriate ways to adopt electric buses.
Higher funding amounts are available for high-need school districts and disadvantaged communities, as identified by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group criteria. Although these districts are prioritized under the program, all school districts can receive increased incentives.
Additional funding is available for removing gas or diesel buses from service, purchasing wheelchair-accessible buses or acquiring buses with vehicle-to-grid capabilities. Furthermore, all school districts that complete fleet electrification plans are eligible for larger funding amounts.
The funding expands on the first round of Bond Act school bus funding totaling $100 million released in November 2023. Since the launch of NYSBIP, more than 75 school districts have sought funds to purchase 350 buses, including 51 districts in disadvantaged communities.
Nearly half of the state’s school districts are now collaborating with NYSERDA to develop Fleet Electrification Plans. Currently, 250 districts have begun creating these plans, with more than 100 additional districts in the process of applying for fleet planning with the support of their local Boards of Cooperative Educational Services districts.
NYSERDA has created extensive resources to help school districts and bus fleets plan for and purchase electric school buses. These resources include the Electric School Bus Roadmap, which outlines the main challenges, costs, funding options, and policy considerations related to school bus electrification, and the Electric School Bus Guidebook, a collection of practical user guides designed to assist school district staff and bus operators.
Photo by UniversityRailroad
