CARB to Award up to $10 Million for School Bus Electrification
According to recent reports, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will be awarding up to $10 million in grants as part of a new school bus electrification and alternative fuels program.
Funding for the Rural School Bus Pilot Project is coming from California’s cap-and-trade program.
The project is a partnership between the California Air Resources Board and the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District. All public schools in the state and all public entities there, as well, are eligible to apply for funding. Applications will be accepted through the end of March.
Funding is available for the purchase of new advanced technology zero-emission fuel cell and battery electric school buses and associated vehicle charging equipment. Near-zero-emission plug-in hybrid school buses, or new school buses that operate on renewable fuels, including renewable diesel, natural gas, and propane, are also eligible.
Applications will be ranked first by the size of the air district, then by age of the school bus, and finally by total mileage on the school bus. School districts in small air districts will have first priority for the funding, but all school districts are encouraged to apply.
The up to $10 million in grants being allocated will reportedly allow for the purchase of as many as 60 new school buses.
NAFA Fleet Management Association
http://www.nafa.org/