New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's administration has committed $15 million towards the purchase of electric school buses. This marks the state's first comprehensive funding commitment for zero-emission buses, aimed at better protecting the health of school children and communities. The funds will be used to purchase 48 buses, which will be distributed to grant recipients in what the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) refers to as overburdened communities throughout the state.
The Electric School Bus Grant Program, administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, is funded through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Fund. The program was authorized by legislation Governor Phil 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.
According to the official announcement, Governor Murphy stated, “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.”
Diesel-fueled vehicles emit toxic particles into communities causing air pollution which directly impacts children's health. Electric school buses represent the next generation of protection by eliminating all emissions from buses. The 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 percent of all emissions. Of the 21,700 school buses registered in New Jersey, more than 99 percent run on fossil fuels.
The first round of funding is now available, and the DEP will hold webinars to discuss the advantages of the program and to assist school districts and operators apply for funding.