New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that an additional $200 million is now available for zero-emission school buses through the third installment of funding from the $4.2-billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.

The funding, distributed through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), supports the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure and fleet electrification planning.

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), NYSBIP provides incentives to eligible school bus fleet operators, including school districts and school bus operators, that purchase zero-emission buses. It also offers charging infrastructure vouchers to help support the installation of Level 2 or DC fast chargers, and provides funding to develop Fleet Electrification Plans, which provide a customized roadmap for electric bus adoption.

The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Incentive amounts cover up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of a new or repowered electric school bus, helping to offset some or all of the difference in purchase price between zero-emission buses and legacy ICE buses.

Program eligibility criteria and rules can be found in the NYSBIP Implementation Manual. Fleet operators do not apply directly for funding—vehicle dealers apply the incentives to the price of buses after fleet operators have issued purchase orders. Fleet operators apply directly to NYSERDA for charging vouchers, which support adding charging infrastructure to their depots.

Larger funding amounts are available for high-need school districts and school districts with significant portions of their population living in disadvantaged communities. Furthermore, all school districts can earn increased incentives by removing a gas or diesel bus from operation, purchasing wheelchair-accessible buses, or purchasing buses with vehicle-to-grid capability. School districts that complete fleet electrification plans also become eligible for higher funding amounts.

Since NYSBIP’s launch, 88 school districts have applied for funds to purchase 529 buses, which includes 50 priority school districts accounting for 406 buses, and 400 districts are now working with NYSERDA to create Fleet Electrification Plans.

“New York State is leaning into our Environmental Bond Act commitment to provide public schools with the funding and resources to make electric school buses more affordable,” Governor Hochul said. “We are leaving no school behind as we reduce pollution from vehicles so every student can benefit from clean air while building healthier, more sustainable communities for New Yorkers.”

New York State provides many resources for school bus fleet operators to transition their fleets, including an Electric School Bus Guidebook. Fleet operators seeking assistance can contact NYSERDA at schoolbus@nyserda.ny.gov.

Source: New York Governor’s Office