Electric School Bus Projects
This program provides funding to support the transition from diesel to electric school buses, including charging equipment needed to operate them, staff training and technical support.
Applications are now OPEN.
Program Objectives
- Support procurement of electric school buses and right-sized charging infrastruc-ture for safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.
- Build district capacity to plan, procure, operate, and maintain electric school buses and charging infrastructure.
- Track energy costs and avoided emissions to measure benefits and inform long-range electrification planning.
Allowable use of Funds:
- Electric school bus purchases: Eligible electric school buses that meet program requirements, including vehicle specifications, replacement criteria, and procurement rules.
- Charging equipment (EVSE): Eligible charging hardware, including chargers, dispensers, mounts or pedestals, and other components needed for daily operations.
- Charging installation and site readiness (as allowed): Design and engineering, electrical upgrades on district property, trenching, conduit, wiring, networking and software for charger operation, permitting, inspections, testing, and related site preparation.
- Solar arrays (bus charging only): Solar arrays dedicated exclusively to electric school bus charging.
- Related project needs (as allowed): Training, safety procedures, and project management costs, when permitted by program guidance.
FY27 Application Cycle Opening Dates:
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- Cycle 1: Application opens May 18, 2026; deadline June 17, 2026.
- Cycle 2: Application opens June 18, 2026; deadline July 17, 2026.
- Cycle 3: Application opens July 20, 2026; deadline August 19, 2026.
FY27 Application and Review Process:
Cycle 1
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- May 18, 2026: Open
- June 17, 2026: Applications due
- June 18–July 17, 2026: Review period
- August 2026: Award notifications
- September 2026: Agreements and procurement
- October 2026: Implementation and reporting begin
Cycle 2
-
- June 18, 2026: Open
- June 17, 2026: Applications due
- July 18–August 19, 2026: Review period
- August 2026: Award notifications
- September 2026: Agreements and procurement
- October 2026: Implementation and reporting begin
Cycle 3
-
- July 20, 2026: Open
- August 19, 2026: Applications due
- August 20–September 14, 2026: Review period
- October 2026: Award notifications
- November 2026: Agreements and procurement
- December 2026: Implementation and reporting begin
No-Cost Technical Assistance:
Districts may request no-cost technical assistance when applying.