LANSING – The Michigan Department of Education in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and Michigan Association of Pupil Transportation opened applications for the Michigan Clean Bus Energy Grant, a $125 million program aimed at helping Michigan school districts replace aging diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives and accelerating momentum to reach the goals outlined in the state’s climate plan.
Through the program, public school districts can receive up to 70% of the cost of an electric school bus, charging station and infrastructure. The program also works to prioritize high-need districts, examining criteria like income, environmental risk factors, and rural or indigenous populations. Schools that meet these criteria are eligible for additional funding to cover up to 90%of the total project costs. Alternative fueled buses will be funded at lower levels.
On May 28, 2024, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Michigan Association of Pupil Transportation (MAPT) opened applications for the Michigan Clean Bus Energy Grant, a $125 million program aimed at helping Michigan school districts replace aging diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives and accelerating momentum to reach the goals outlined in the state’s climate plan.
Through the program, public school districts can receive up to 70% of the cost of an electric school bus, charging station and infrastructure. The program also works to prioritize high-need districts, examining criteria like income, environmental risk factors, and rural or indigenous populations. Schools that meet these criteria are eligible for additional funding to cover up to 90%of the total project costs. Alternative fueled buses will be funded at lower levels.
Michigan’s Clean Bus Energy Grant program will help remove the closest source of air pollution from the everyday lives of students by removing the oldest, dirtiest diesel buses from our roads. Electric school buses produce no tailpipe emissions and are a safer alternative for our kids—and they are already on the road successfully serving schools in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Gaylord, Kalamazoo, and more. Those communities not only benefit from decreased pollution, but the schools see cost savings on fuel, maintenance and longevity.
As we work to protect our children’s health and make their journey to school safer, electrifying Michigan’s school buses is an important step that is now more accessible than ever to schools through this program.
We are very pleased to hear of the $125 million dedicated to clean school buses for Michigan’s school children. When air quality, climate and public health are at the front of our minds, protecting our children from dirty tailpipe emissions on their way to school just makes sense. School districts across Michigan have already displayed success and demand for electric school buses, and this funding will help to support further rollouts- especially among our communities hit first and worst by air pollution.”
Applications are open now through 5:00 PM ET on Friday, July 12. More information about the program, how to apply and informational webinars can be found HERE.
