Your Guide to NYSERDA’s NY School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP)
$100 million in funding is available now to help electrify your district’s school bus fleet through NYSBIP.
The NY School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP) is Now Open!
NYSERDA opened the NY School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP) on November 29th, 2023. NYSBIP is a $500 million program, with $100 million in funding available right now, that provides incentives to public school districts and bus operators for electric school buses (ESBs) and associated charging infrastructure.
Why Go Electric Now?
In New York State, all school bus fleets are required to be upgraded to electric vehicles by 2035. Act now to get a head start on electrifying your fleet while incentive funding is available.
Maximize Federal & State Funding
– The EPA Clean School Bus Program represents the largest amount of funding for zero-emission school buses in U.S. history and can be used in conjunction with the NYSBIP incentive program.
– Lower your total cost of ownership when transitioning to an electric school bus fleet by stacking these funding opportunities.
Early Adoption
Project planning, design, and implementation takes time. Support your fleet operators by transitioning now and gaining experience with zero-emission school bus technology.
Budget Certainty
With rising costs and inflation, lock in fixed long-term transportation contracts to eliminate price volatility and stabilizes your budget.
How Does the NY School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP) Work?
NYSBIP is a voucher incentive program that provides funding for zero-emission buses, including electric school buses.
Right now, $100 million in funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with school bus incentive amounts starting at $114,000 and covering up to 100% of the incremental cost of a new or repowered zero-emission school bus, depending on the type of vehicle. Larger school bus voucher amounts are available for priority districts, including high-need school districts, disadvantaged communities, and fleets removing internal combustion engine buses from operation.
NYSBIP also provides rebates to eligible school bus fleet operators who purchase and install qualified charging infrastructure with newly purchased zero-emissions school buses.
How Highland Can 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 over $350M in grants & incentives, and we’re happy to share our expertise with you. Our dedicated team of incentive program experts are happy to help answer your questions, whether you choose to work with Highland or not.
Please email info@highlandfleets.com to get in touch with our team.
Guaranteed Buses
Get 2+ Electric School Buses
From charger procurement and infrastructure installation to paving and bus barn maintenance, Highland manages the entire project from start to finish. We guarantee your depot electrification will be completed in the 2023-2024 school year.
Guaranteed Upgrades
Electrify Your Depot in the Next School Year
From charger procurement and infrastructure installation to paving and bus barn maintenance, Highland manages the entire project from start to finish. We guarantee your depot electrification will be completed in the 2023-2024 school year.
Guaranteed Savings
Do More with Your Budget
Highland can help your district upgrade to electric school buses AND save money. We guarantee savings of 10% or more on what you would pay to purchase, fuel, and maintain equivalent new diesel buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
NYSBIP is a program launched by NYSERDA to provide public school districts and contractors with a total of $500 million in funding for electric school buses (ESBs) and associated charging infrastructure. $100 million in funding is available right now.
No, you don’t have to scrap a vehicle. If you do have vehicles that are eligible to scrap (e.g. an internal combustion vehicle with an engine dated 7 years or older than the year of the application), then you are eligible to receive a scrappage bonus of up to $65,000 per bus).
Only Class 3-8 BEV used for P-12 pupil transportation are eligible for NYSERDA funding. Shuttle vans, trucks, SUVs, and cars that are used for pupil transportation are not currently eligible.
Yes! You just need to have a signed letter of intent or an executed contract.
Yes, we are considered a third party operator.
In the first two years of the NYSBIP program, school districts and third party operators can apply for the greater of six electric school buses (ESBs) or 6% of their fleet. Priority districts or third party operators working with a priority district can apply for up to ten school buses or 10% of their fleet. School buses that complete a Fleet Electrification Plan can apply for an additional four electric school buses within the first two years.
Priority Districts include SED designated High Need/Resource Capacity districts and districts that serve Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). This bonus will also apply for school buses that are stored in an existing depot that is situated in a DAC.
A link to priority districts is here.
Yes! NYSBIP awards may be combined (“stacked”) with other eligible public incentives where applicable. Such incentives may include, but are not limited to, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Credits and available utility “Make-Ready” programs.
Yes, school districts or third party operators may apply for funding to cover infrastructure (Charging Vouchers) after a purchase for an electric school bus (ESB) has been initiated either through NYSBIP or with other funding (e.g. NYTVIP, EPA Clean School Bus Program, self-funded). School districts and third party operators can apply for the same number of chargers as the number of ESBs purchased.
| Base Voucher Amount | With Fleet Electrification Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Priority District | $25,000 | $55,000 |
| Priority District | $35,000 | $65,000 |