The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced two school bus rebate programs, namely the 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Electric School Bus Rebates and the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) School Bus Rebates.
The programs will help schools replace old diesel buses with new clean energy buses. The two rebate programs will award approximately $17 million in combined funding for the replacements.
The ARP Electric School Bus Rebates will go to underserved communities and tribal schools. A total of 23 electric school bus replacements and the associated charging infrastructure will get the funding. Click here to see lists of the schools.
The 2021 DERA School Bus Rebate Awards will provide funding for 444 school bus replacements. This program will fund the replacement of old diesel school buses with next-gen diesel, electric, gasoline, propane or CNG school buses, meeting the current emissions standards. The funding awarded to the schools will range from $20,000 to $260,000. Click here to see list of DERA awarded districts.
In Spring 2022, the EPA intends to announce a new Clean School Bus rebate program.
“The historic investments in clean transportation resulting from President Biden’s leadership will have lasting impacts on protecting clean air for children for generations,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This round of school bus grants from the American Rescue Plan is just the beginning. The unprecedented $5 billion investment that’s on the way for clean and zero-emission school buses from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will transform how millions of children get to school and help build a better America for a new generation.”
