California announces USD 500 million in electric school bus funding
By Luke Willetts - 22nd September 2024
California Governor Gavin Newsom
USA – Last month California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a USD 500 million statewide zero-emission school bus funding program to help put 1000 new electric school buses on Californian roads. The USD 500 million in grants will be distributed to the various school districts responsible for the purchase of school buses. The funding will cover both the purchase of electric buses and the installation of necessary charging infrastructure. Each school bus can receive up to USD 470,000 in grants, which includes up to USD 95,000 for charging infrastructure. This initiative is part of California's broader goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and eliminate diesel-powered buses from its school fleets by 2035. It also builds on the State's previous investments in clean transportation, adding to the 1,100 zero-emission buses already in operation.
This is welcome news for North American electric school bus manufacturers Blue Bird Corp, Thomas Built Buses Inc, Collins Bus Corporation, Lion Electric Co, Navistar International Corporation, GreenPower Motor Company Inc and Phoenix Motor Inc.
