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What does it fund?

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

Who is eligible for funds?

California-based public school districts, public charter schools, county offices of education, joint powers authorities, and the Division of State Special Schools in the State Department of Education.

Are there any recent policy changes?

• Incentive amounts – In response to market conditions and to better align with US EPA Clean School Bus Program, voucher amounts have been reduced for FY 2022-23
• Priority applicants – Eligible applicants located within low-income communities are now prioritized for funding in addition to eligible applicants located in disadvantaged communities. More information and a list of school districts that meet prioritization criteria is available at Californiahvip.org
• Replaced vehicle age requirement – To increase the pool of eligible school buses to be replaced, the eligible age range of old school buses has been increased to model year (MY) 2010 or older. The prior FY required replaced school buses be MY 2007 or older
• Vehicle to Grid (V2G) standards– In response to updated V2G communication standards, communications protocol ISO 15118-20 has been adopted for all HVIP set-aside funded school buses for FY 2022-23

How does this program provide benefits to priority populations?

The program prioritizes applicants located in low-income and disadvantaged communities in small and medium air districts 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 Public School Bus Set-Aside during the application window. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 application period opened June 20, 2023, and will remain open through September 29, 2023.

Cumulative Outcomes as of November 2022

• Nearly $265 million allocated
• Nearly $130 million awarded
• 81 vouchers awarded
• 300 vehicles implemented

Funding Sources

• General Fund

More about this program

Last updated: August 2023