The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the latest round of funding from the Clean School Bus Rebate Program with up to $965 million available to school districts. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda continues to accelerate the transition of the nearly 500,000 school buses in America to cleaner technologies. According to the press release, this fourth round of funding will build on the previous nearly $3 billion in investments being distributed nationwide to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future.
Under the Clean School Bus Program's multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities to date, EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to fund approximately 8,700 school bus replacements, approximately 95% of which are zero-emission, battery-electric. Funding has been awarded to nearly 1,300 school districts in nearly all 50 states and Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories, many of which are identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural, and, or Tribal students.
The 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Competition
Applications for this year’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program are due on the EPA online portal by 4 p.m. EST on January 9, 2025. Applicants can request up to $325,000 per bus for up to 50 buses per application, an increase in the total buses per project in response to stakeholder feedback for larger projects to help achieve faster fleet turnover. Funds can be used to cover bus and infrastructure costs for awardees requesting electric school buses, as well as eligible training costs for bus drivers, electricians, and others working with the new buses or infrastructure.
