The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a fourth round of funding in the Clean School Bus Rebate Program. This round provides $965 million in additional funding for clean school buses.
To date, the program enables 1,300 school districts across the U.S. to replace diesel buses with electric and ultra-low emission vehicles. Overall, the program will provide $5 billion of funding.
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"The program continues to be instrumental in accelerating the adoption of clean student transportation," says Phil Horlock, president and CEO of school bus maker Blue Bird. "The funds will enable even more school districts nationwide to acquire electric school buses to protect student health and air quality in our communities. Blue Bird's growth plans meet increasing demand for zero-emission buses."
Applications for the program are due by 4 p.m. EST on Jan. 9. Applicants can request up to $325,000 per bus for up to 50 buses per application. Funds can cover bus and infrastructure costs, training for bus drivers, electricians and others working with either the buses or the infrastructure.
"Over the past three years, we've seen tremendous interest from schools across the country to upgrade to clean and zero-emission buses," says EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Thousands of new buses on the road mean our children are breathing cleaner air on their way to and from school, their communities are seeing cleaner air and less climate pollution, and schools are supporting good paying American jobs."
Some funding awardees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases. Clean vehicle tax credits for qualifying school buses are worth up to $40,000.
