STATE ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR ZERO-EMISSION SCHOOL BUSES
New York State is making $100 million available for zero-emission school buses in the first round of funding available for them under the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.
With this funding to make zero-emission buses more affordable, school districts and bus operators statewide can work to phase out internal combustion engine buses and curb emissions.
NYSERDA released program rules and officially launched the pre-application process through which bus manufacturers and dealers can apply to qualify for the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP). The application process to receive funding opens on Nov. 29.
NYSERDA will host a webinar at 12 p.m. on Oct. 11 to provide more information on NYSBIP goals, guidelines, processes, and timelines.
The program is a statewide point-of-sale incentive program that provides discounts to eligible school-bus fleet operators that purchase zero-emission battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and associated charging infrastructure.
Incentives are disbursed directly to dealers and manufacturers to offset some or all of the difference in purchase price between zero-emission buses and comparable diesel-powered or gas-powered buses. Charging-infrastructure incentives will be issued directly to the fleet owner.
The state recently released the New York State Electric School Bus Roadmap and the Electric School Bus Guidebook to help public schools transition bus fleets to zero-emission buses. The resources provide school districts and bus operators with the technical assistance necessary to remove internal combustion engine vehicles from service and pinpoint critical factors and decisions they will face when considering zero-emission buses.