In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette recently announced the first-round award of $15 million in grants for local purchases of 48 electric school buses in New Jersey, marking the state’s first comprehensive commitment of funding for these zero-emission buses that will better protect the health of schoolchildren and communities. National Drive Electric Week is a weeklong outreach event to raise awareness and educate the public on the availability and benefits of all-electric and hybrid vehicles.

“It is our responsibility as elected officials to ensure that the vehicles carrying our children to school do not adversely affect their health outcomes as they grow. That’s why my administration has dedicated $30 million to date to ensuring that those vehicles are powered by clean energy,” said Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement. “These grants are a testament to my administration’s continued commitment to environmental justice, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle electrification, and the protection of families from harmful pollution.”

“Children, whose lungs are still developing, are most vulnerable to the harmful health effects of poor air quality, yet millions of them are transported to and from school every day in buses that release harmful diesel emissions,” LaTourette said. “It is critical that our school buses be equipped with the latest technology to protect them. The DEP congratulates grant recipients for their commitment to the health of our children and looks forward to helping school districts and fleet operators as we work together to grow the use of electric school buses and trucks.”

The Administration’s Electric School Bus Grant Program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and is funded through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Fund. It was authorized by legislation Murphy signed in 2022 to provide up to $45 million in funding over three years to replace diesel school buses with battery-electric school buses. The program also funds the installation of charging infrastructure.

Diesel exhaust contains multiple pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter, as well as compounds, such as formaldehyde, that are classified as toxic. Fine particulate matter in diesel exhaust can be especially harmful. Smaller than 1 micron in diameter, these particulates can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to decreased lung function, increased asthma severity and increased risk of lung cancer. Children, whose lungs are still developing, breathe at faster rates than adults, making them more susceptible to these health risks.

Over the years, the DEP has assisted school districts with retrofitting and/or upgrading diesel-powered school buses to better protect students. The DEP succeeded in having more than 7,000 school buses retrofitted with upgraded cabin ventilation systems that prevent diesel fumes from entering the buses each time the door opened. Electric school buses represent the next generation of protection by eliminating all emissions from buses.

As the state’s first comprehensive effort to help school districts and operators make the switch to electric school buses, the Electric School Bus Grant program will ultimately lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that fuel global warming and worsen the impacts of climate change.

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, making up 37% of all emissions. Of the 21,700 school buses registered in New Jersey, more than 99% run on fossil fuels. While providing vital transportation services, these buses negatively impact the health of students and residents of the communities in which they operate.

Grant Recipients

Grant recipients are distributed across the northern, central, and southern regions of the state, including 13 in overburdened communities. There are nine direct awards to schools and school districts and five awards to bus contractors serving New Jersey schools. DEP congratulates the following recipients: 

  • Beloved Charter School has been awarded up to $1,280,000 for four school buses and four fast charging stations through their contractor Highland Electric.
  • Berkeley Heights has been awarded up to $580,000 for two school buses and two fast charging stations.
  • Christina Seix Academy has been awarded up to $640,000 for two school buses and two level two charging stations.
  • Egg Harbor Township has been awarded up to $640,000 for two school buses and two fast charging stations through their contractor Electra School Bus Co.
  • Garfield Public School District has been awarded up to $640,000 for two school buses and two fast charging stations.
  • Haddonfield School District has been awarded up to $580,000 for two school buses and two fast charging stations through their contractor Highland Electric.
  • Hudson County School District has been awarded up to $1,600,000 for five school buses and five fast charging stations.
  • Jackson School District has been awarded up to $1,860,000 for six school buses, three level two charging stations and three fast charging stations.
  • Lakewood School District has been awarded up to $1,560,000 for five school buses, two level two charging stations and three fast charging stations.
  • Pleasantville has been awarded up to $640,000 for two school buses and two fast charging stations their contractor Electra School Bus Co.
  • Princeton Public School District has been awarded up to $620,000 for two school buses, one level two charging station and one fast charging station.
  • Readington Township Public Schools has been awarded up to $640,000 for two school buses and two fast charging stations.
  • Summit Public Schools has been awarded up to $1,280,000 for four school buses and four fast charging stations.
  • United Academy of Union has been awarded up to $2,500,000 for eight school buses, three level two charging stations and five fast charging stations through their contractor Kehilas Union.

New Jersey Fleet Advisor

With the launch of the New Jersey Fleet Advisor Program, DEP has partnered with the nonprofit organization CALSTART to provide free technical assistance to help medium- and heavy-duty fleets plan for electrification. The educational program aims to help fleets navigate key decisions around transitioning to zero emission vehicles by providing help with vehicle recommendations, cost projections, on-site infrastructure assessments, and more. Participants are not required to purchase zero-emission vehicles as part of this program.

Learn more in the full news release.