New York to fund zero-emission school buses

The US state of New York has earmarked 100 million dollars for zero-emission school buses. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has now released the requirements for manufacturers and dealers to apply to the incentive programme. Applications can be submitted from 29 November.

It is the first round of funding under the 4.2 billion dollar Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. According to an official press release by the state of New York, 500 million dollars will be allotted for zero-emission school buses and infrastructure under the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), part of the above-mentioned Bond Act.

“The Environmental Bond Act funding creates a pivotal opportunity that brings zero-emission school buses to the forefront of New York State’s clean energy and climate future,” says YSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris.

“Zero-emissions buses can have significant benefits for our schools and districts across the state, especially our urban districts, by reducing pollution and providing a cleaner transportation option for students,” New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa adds. “Additional resources—like those announced today—will be critical to ensuring school communities are able to make these investments.”

New York requires all new school buses sold to be zero-emission by 2027. By 2035, all school buses in service must be ZEVs.

At the beginning of the week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of construction on 53 electric bus chargers at Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) depots in New York City. The new infrastructure supports MTA’s plan to transition its entire 5,800-bus fleet to zero-emissions vehicles by 2040. Installations will be completed by mid-2024, aligning with New York’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing air quality in urban areas.

Moreover, the state is looking to integrate EVs into its electricity grid. The governor’s office has invited projects to apply that focus on the development and demonstration of innovative, replicable solutions.

Update 30 November 2023

$100 million is now available for zero-emission school buses in the US state of New York, as previously announced. Administered by The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP) provides incentives to eligible school bus fleet operators that purchase zero-emission battery electric vehicles (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV).

This funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis with incentive amounts starting at $114,000 and covering up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of a new or repowered zero-emission school bus, depending on the type of vehicle.

governor.ny.gov, governor.ny.gov (update)