Did you know that a busload of funding is now available for school districts across the country to electrify their bus fleets? Although getting your hands on these dollars may seem like an intimidating process, Nuvve’s experienced Grants and Fundraising team can provide you with a free, turnkey solution to make this vision a reality.
As of June 2022, more than 12,000 electric school buses (ESBs) have been committed by more than 400 school districts or fleet operators in nearly 40 states. (That’s roughly the size of the entire school bus fleet in North Carolina and is six times higher than the count in Jan. 2022!) This is a 60% increase in the number of districts counted in the summer of 2021. With school budgets stretched tight, the fuel and maintenance savings offered by ESBs are difficult to pass up.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s historic announcement earmarks $500M toward the purchase of hundreds of clean, American-made, zero-emission buses on our roads and highways over the next 5 years. Nuvve is available now to help select the EV charging equipment and bus brand that best fits your school district’s needs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications through Aug. 19, so now’s your chance to be part of history and do something good for the community at the same time.
This new initiative is now in full swing, and we’re excited to play a leading role in the future of clean transportation! We are currently partnering with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in California to interconnect bi-directional ESBs in three school districts (Cajon Valley, Mt. Diablo and Ramona) for participation in California’s summer Emergency Load Reduction Program. This program builds on traditional demand response structures by adding a mechanism for utilities to compensate behind-the-meter resources that export energy when a grid alert is issued.
Saving Money and the Planet – One Bus At a Time
Zero-emission buses actually cost upwards of 60% less for school districts to operate than diesel buses. What’s more, the electricity stored in these buses can transmit energy back to the grid to meet extra energy demand or provide energy to communities during power outages. That’s a service the Nuvve team pioneered and now specializes in— from planning through funding and deployment. We refer to it as vehicle-to-grid, or V2G. It means electric batteries in these buses always have sufficient charge to fulfill their daily routes AND they can also help offset spikes in electricity demand.
This important investment will not only help reduce greenhouse gas pollution, provide cleaner air around schools and communities and better protect children’s health, but it will also drive American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing and create good-paying jobs. The replacement of older, heavily polluting buses will result in healthier air for many of the 25 million American children who rely on school buses, many of whom live in overburdened and underserved communities.
How Can I Access Funds For My School District?
Navigating the newness that is ESBs is no easy task, but fear not! Switching your bus fleet to an all-electric one isn’t difficult with Nuvve on your side. Our dedicated Grants and Fundraising team is ready to support you for free! We’re helping new customers like you secure millions in grant funding every week.
To get started, please share your contact information at nuvve.com/grants and a Nuvve representative will Contact you within 3 business days.
To learn more about the rebate programs, applicant eligibility, selection process and informational webinar dates, please visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.
