Your Guide to the EPA Clean School Bus Program
Round 4 of the EPA Clean School Bus Program is now open. Learn how Highland can support your application process.
Learn More About the EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Program (CSB) will provide $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with clean school bus models. School districts in all 50 states are eligible to apply for funding, which is provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To date, over $2.8 billion has been awarded to 1,283 school districts, which will replace 8,725 school buses with electric school buses and clean school buses.
Round 4 of the EPA CSB Program is now open as of September 26, 2024, with $965 million in funding available to support electric school buses and charging infrastructure in school districts.
How Does the EPA CSB Program Work?
The EPA CSB program first opened in 2022, and there have been three previous rounds of funding: one competitive grant round and two lottery rebate rounds.
Rounds 1 and 3 were lotteries with a relatively simple application process that each awarded a little under $1 billion in rebates. Round 2 was a competitive process with a complex application that also distributed a little less than $1 billion in grants.
Round 4 is a $965 million round that will fund up to 50 electric school buses per application. Priority applicants can request up to $325,000 per electric school bus, while non-priority applicants can request up to $170,000. Funds can be used to cover bus and infrastructure costs for awardees requesting electric school buses, as well as eligible training costs for bus drivers, electricians, and others working with the new buses or infrastructure.
How can Highland Help
Strengthen Your Application With an Experienced Partner
Our mission is to make electric vehicles affordable and accessible for all communities. We’ve helped school districts secure approximately $350 million in grants & incentives, including supporting hundreds of districts with applications to the EPA Clean School Bus program.
Our team is actively implementing electrification projects for awarded districts around the country. We are happy to share our expertise with you and we can even file applications on your behalf. Our dedicated team of incentive program experts are happy to help answer your questions, whether you choose to work with Highland or not.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. EST on January 9, 2025.
Please email epa@highlandfleets.com to get in touch with our team.