Electric School Bus Grant Program

Purpose of Funding
New Jersey is invested in exploring the betterment of school bus fleets throughout the state by implementing a program designed to encourage and monitor the transition to electric school buses. Of the 21,700 school buses registered in New Jersey, over 99% run on fossil fuels. While providing vital transportation services, these buses negatively impact the health of students and residents of the communities in which they operate.Image of a child getting on a school bus

Application Contact
stopthesoot@njdepwptest.net, please include, “Electric School Bus Grant Program” in the subject line

Application Deadline
Friday, May 17, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET.

Notification Date
Late June 2024

Source of Funding
Societal benefits charge revenues received pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-60); the “Global Warming Solutions Fund” established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2007, c.340 (C.26:2C-50); any available monies from utility programs to upgrade electrical infrastructure for purposes of electric vehicle charging; any appropriations made by the Legislature for the program established pursuant to P.L.2022, c.86 (C.26:2C-8.58 et al.); or any other sources of available funding.

Statutory Citation
The New Jersey Electric School Bus Law P.L.2022, c.86 (C.26:2C-8.58 et al.)

Who is Eligible
Under this solicitation, two types of entities are eligible to apply: school districts that own their buses and school bus contractors that provide busing services to schools. School bus contractors must apply in conjunction with a specified school or school district. A single school bus contractor may apply in conjunction with multiple schools or school districts, although they must submit a separate application for each individual school or school district they are applying with.

Qualifications Required for Consideration
In each year of funding, at least half of the school districts or school bus contractors selected by the department must operate within an Overburdened Community. Additionally, the department aims to select an equal number of grantees from the northern, central, and southern regions of the State, respectively.​

  • Northern (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union, Sussex, and Warren Counties)​
  • Central (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset Counties)​
  • Southern (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem Counties)

Grant Limitations 
$15,000,000 per year for three years

Additional Information
See the Solicitation Overview for details and requirements.

The Electric School Bus Program held a series of three webinars about the solicitation. The recordings and additional materials are linked below. Find more information on the program’s page here.

For More Information
https://njdepwptest.net/stopthesoot/electric-school-bus-program/