zero-emission school bus parked in downtown Sacramento

HVIP Public School Bus Set-Aside/Local Educational Agency School Bus Replacement Grants

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Incentives, Zero-Emission Transportation
Programs
Low Carbon Transportation Incentives and Air Quality Improvement Program, HVIP Public School Bus Set-Aside/Local Educational Agency School Bus Replacement Grants, Clean Truck & Bus Vouchers (HVIP)

What does it fund?

Replacement of older internal combustion engine school buses with zero-emission (ZE) school buses.

What are the possible incentive amounts?

Current Incentive Amounts

School Bus Type

Without a wheelchair lift

With a wheelchair lift

Type A

$280,000

$295,000

Type C

$340,000

$355,000

Type D

$360,000

$375,000

Who is eligible for funds?

The Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) project eligible applicants include California-based public school districts, public charter schools, county offices of education, and joint powers authorities.

Are there any recent policy changes?

  • ZESBI expands the eligible applicants from school districts located in small and medium-sized air districts in the Public School Bus Set-Aside, to statewide eligibility in ZESBI, allowing participation from all eligible applicants throughout the state.
  • Incentive amounts are based on market conditions and in alignment with US EPA Clean School Bus Program incentives. CARB anticipates lowering incentive amounts over time to support the development of a sustainable market.
  • Applicant prioritization criteria is based on a tier structure consisting of: Tier 1) SB 114 priority criteria, Tier 2) applicants residing within low-income or disadvantaged communities, Tier 3) statewide eligible applicants. More information and a list of school districts that meet prioritization criteria is available at Californiahvip.org
  • Based on community feedback and to increase the pool eligible school buses, replaced school bus gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) requirement has been lowered to greater than 10,000 lbs. Previously, the Public School Bus Set-Aside set the GVWR requirement at greater than 14,000 lbs. These smaller school buses are often utilized by public school districts located in rural areas and for special education transportation.

How does this program provide benefits to priority populations?

The program prioritizes applicants located in low-income and disadvantaged communities that have historically had limited access to funding for investments in zero-emission transportation. Funding will be used to purchase ZE school buses that reduce children’s exposure to harmful pollutants and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

How do I access funds?

Eligible applicants can apply for funding through HVIP Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure during the application window. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 application period opened May 14, 2024, and will remain open through September 30, 2024.

Funding Sources

  • General Fund
  • Proposition 98 General Funds

Last updated: June 2024