How to Scrap a School Bus
Vehicle scrappage is a key component of many state and Federal electric school bus incentive programs. Learn more about the vehicle scrappage process and find out why it's important.
State and Federal Incentive Program Requirement: Vehicle Scrappage
State and Federal electric school bus incentive programs, including the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, provide meaningful funding to help foster broad transportation electrification efforts across the US. To help ensure these programs achieve maximum benefit to their communities, vehicle incentive programs typically require retirement (e.g., scrappage) of an old vehicle to be eligible for funding. Vehicle scrappage is a critical component of these programs for a few key reasons:
- Emissions Reduction: Scrapping of vehicles ensures that older, more emissive vehicles are permanently disabled, thereby reducing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases (GHGs).
- Air Quality Improvements: Removing older vehicles from the fleet directly contributes to air quality improvements for residents in the local area, providing health benefits of reduced asthma and other respiratory incidences.
Vehicle Scrappage FAQs
Scrappage is the process of destroying engines and equipment and is typically required to satisfy the conditions of state and federal grant and rebate programs, such as the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program or EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program.
The applicant to a federal-or state-funded rebate or grant program. In addition, project partners, such as the vehicle owner, are required to assist in the scrappage process by providing necessary information and signature. For projects involving Highland, we take care of all scrappage requirements and provide information to the funding agency as required.
Scrappage of vehicles and equipment must take place after official award of the grant or rebate. Vehicles scrapped prior to an award could be denied state or federal funding.
For the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, both the engine and vehicle chassis must be disabled as follows:
Engine
Disabling an engine may be completed by cutting a three-inch-by-three-inch hole in the engine block (the part of the engine containing the cylinders).
Chassis
Disabling the chassis may be completed by cutting through the frame/frame rails on each side at a point located between the front and rear axles.
Requirements may vary for state grant and rebate programs. For questions please reach out at epa@highlandfleets.com.
Scrappage documentation can vary by state/federal program but generally follows the list of information below:
- Vehicle owner’s name and address;
- Vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle model year, VIN, odometer reading or usage meter reading, engine make, engine model, engine model year, engine horsepower, engine ID or serial number, as applicable;
- Name, address, and signature of dismantler;
- Date engine and/or vehicle/equipment was scrapped;
- Statement attesting to scrappage of vehicle/engine as defined above;
- Signature of applicant and bus owner, if different;
- Digital photos as follows (at least 6 photos per bus):
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- Side profile of the bus, prior to disabling;
- VIN tag;
- Engine label (showing serial number, engine family number, and engine model year);
- Engine block, prior to hole;
- Engine block, after hole;
- Cut frame rails or other cut structural components, as applicable.
After a vehicle is scrapped, the inoperable vehicle is stripped down and any usable components (i.e., seats, wheels, etc.) may be re-used in another vehicle or sold by the dismantler. The engine and drivetrain, as well as the frame and chassis components may not be reused and are sent to a scrap metal recycler to be melted down for another application.
In the unfortunate event that scrappage requirements are not followed, the funding agency may deny any state or federal monies in connection to the non-compliant project vehicle(s).
Please email epa@highlandfleets.com to get in touch with our team.