WASHINGTON (September 26, 2024) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced approximately $965 million in available funding for clean school buses, including electric school buses.

Said SUE GANDER, Director of World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative:

“Today’s announcement of nearly $1 billion in new funding available under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program is good news for children, drivers and communities.  As in the first three rounds of funding, we expect there to be high demand for zero-tailpipe-emissions electric school buses from school districts across the country, which will provide air quality and health benefits and support lower operating costs. This rebate program is another step in transitioning from the current fleet fueled by diesel and other fossil fuels to a cleaner and healthier ride for kids, with the opportunity to add to the more than 8,000 electric school buses funded by the program in previous rounds. We’re pleased to see that workforce training is an eligible use of funds and that the program has a continued focus on equity, with prioritized funding for schools in low-income areas, high-need and rural districts and districts funded by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education, and funding to provide wheelchair lifts; this will help bring clean rides to historically disadvantaged communities that need them most.” 

For media inquiries, please contact Katherine Roboff at katherine.roboff@wri.org.