Rural School Bus Pilot Project
Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Projects
North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District
December 21, 2016 – Summer 2025
Project Details:
The Rural School Bus Pilot Project provides grants for the purchase of commercially available cleaner school bus technologies such as zero-emission (fuel cell or battery electric) and low carbon fuel options (renewable fuels). Schools in rural communities with the oldest and worst polluting fleets who traditionally have had fewer opportunities for grant funding are given funding priority, although all school districts within California are eligible to participate. Applicants can apply each program year for either one replacement bus that uses renewable fuels or up to three zero-emission buses as expansion projects.
Old bus requirements:
- Chassis must be 20 years old or older to receive funding
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) must be 14,000 pounds or greater
- Bus must have current CHP Certification
- Must be applicant owned
- Must be scrapped (Year 4 grant only)
New school bus must be current model year and be either:
- Zero-Emission (battery electric or fuel cell); or
- Hybrid or Internal Combustion Engine (diesel, compressed natural gas, propane) using renewable fuel
Grantee:
North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District
Grant Amount
| Project Total (4 Fiscal Years) | $61,550,000 |
|---|
Vehicles/Equipment Funded
Zero-Emission school bus and electric charging infrastructure projects:
- Up to $400,000 per bus, up to 3 buses per year
- Bus Types include A, B, C, and D
- Up to an additional $5,000 for charging infrastructure per bus
Hybrid or Internal Combustion Engine school bus projects:
- Up to $165,000 per bus, 1 bus per year
- Bus Types include A, B, C, and D
- Incremental renewable fuel costs can be included
Lessons Learned
- Purchase order processing time can be improved by utilizing a standardized required and optional equipment list.
- Many school districts are repeat applicants and are embracing the new zero-emission school bus types.
- Dismantling activities can be improved by offering focused training on the destruction reporting requirements to dismantle and salvage yard operators.
- Global supply chain disruptions impact production schedules. Flexibility in delivery dates amongst project funding years improves expenditure targets.
Status Updates
Zero-Emission school bus and electric charging infrastructure projects:
- 93 school buses have been delivered and are on the road.
- 21 school buses are on order and are expected to be on the road by Summer 2023.
- 93 charging stations have been partially funded.
Hybrid or Internal Combustion Engine school bus projects:
- 66 school buses have been delivered and are on the road.
- 4 school buses are on order and are expected to be on the road by Summer 2023.