New York School Bus Incentive Program Makes Clean Buses and Charging Infrastructure More Affordable for Public Schools
Helps Improve Air Quality and Reduce Transportation Pollution in Local Communities and Across the State
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that an additional $200 million is now available to school districts and bus operators for zero-emission school buses through the second installment of funding from the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act). The funding, distributed through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), provides support for the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure or fleet electrification planning as public schools transition to zero-emission technologies that improve air quality and reduce pollution in communities.
“Paving the way for zero-emission school buses not only cleans our air, it protects the health and wellbeing of our students,” Governor Hochul said. “With increased funding for school to transition to clean transportation options, we are reducing harmful emissions and pollution, helping to ensure that both students and residents are breathing clean, fresh air and enjoying healthier environments to live, work and do business.”
Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), NYSBIP provides incentives to eligible school districts and bus fleet operators purchasing electric buses. It also offers charging vouchers to school districts or bus operators and provides funding for these groups to develop fleet electrification plans. This funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis with incentive amounts covering up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of a new or re-powered zero-emission school bus, depending on the type of vehicle, helping make the cost of an electric bus comparable to that of a gas or diesel bus. Charging vouchers can offset the cost of installing Level 2 or DCFC fast chargers. All school districts in New York State also qualify for funding for fleet electrification plans, which provide each with a customized roadmap for electric bus adoption.
NYSERDA has also developed wide-ranging resources for school districts and school bus fleets as they plan for, and purchase, electric school buses. These include the Electric School Bus Roadmap, which presents an overview of the key challenges, costs, funding mechanisms, and policy options involved in school bus electrification, and the Electric School Bus Guidebook, a series of practical user guides meant to assist school district staff and bus operators on specific topics such as:
- Benefits of School Bus Electrification
- Electric School Bus Purchasing
- Electric School Bus Charger Purchasing
Financial Incentives for Electric School
- Buses and Chargers
- Electric School Buses
Electric School Bus Storage and Charger
- Site Planning
- ESB Operations and Maintenance
Electric School Bus Charging Equipment
- Operations and Management
- Electric School Bus and Charging Safety
Workforce Development Strategies and
- Training Needs
Learn more on NYSERDA’s website.
This announcement complements New York State’s nearly $3 billion investment in clean transportation and the State’s clean car and truck regulations that require 100 percent zero-emission passenger car and light-duty truck sales by 2035. Active medium- and heavy-duty truck initiatives include zero-emission truck purchase vouchers through the New York Truck Voucher Program (NYTVIP) and the New York City Clean Trucks Program, the "EV Make Ready" initiative to help expand electric vehicle use, fleet assessment services, and the $24 million Electric Truck and Bus Prize Challenge under the $85 million New York Clean Transportation Prizes.
No comments:
Post a Comment