In a landmark move the Murphy Administration of New Jersey has unveiled a significant investment in electric school buses. As part of a broader commitment to cleaner transportation, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced the first-round funding of $15 million dedicated to the purchase of 48 electric school buses across the state. This initiative is celebrated during National Drive Electric Week, a nationwide event focused on promoting the benefits of electric vehicles.
The introduction of these electric school buses represents a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for schoolchildren and their communities. “My Administration has dedicated $30 million to date to ensuring that those vehicles are powered by clean energy,” he stated, underscoring the state’s ongoing commitment to its environmental goals.
The Electric School Bus Grant Program is administratively managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and funded through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ (NJBPU) Clean Energy Fund. This program, authorized by legislation signed by Governor Murphy in 2022, aims to provide up to $45 million over three years for replacing diesel school buses with battery-electric models. It also encompasses the funding for necessary charging infrastructure, a critical component for ensuring the smooth operation of these new electric vehicles.
Diesel exhaust contains numerous harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter, which have serious health implications. Fine particulate matter, in particular, is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, posing risks such as decreased lung function, increased asthma severity, and a heightened risk of lung cancer. Children, who breathe at faster rates than adults, are especially vulnerable to these health effects, making the shift to electric school buses essential for their well-being.
The DEP has previously assisted school districts in retrofitting diesel-powered buses to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Notably, the department has facilitated upgrades for over 7,000 school buses by installing improved cabin ventilation systems that prevent diesel fumes from entering the buses each time the doors open. Transitioning to electric buses not only eliminates emissions but also represents a significant advancement in public health protection.
This initiative marks New Jersey’s first comprehensive effort to aid school districts in the switch to electric school buses. The Electric School Bus Grant program is anticipated to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the pressing issue of climate change. Transportation accounts for the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey, contributing 37 percent of the state’s total emissions.
Among the grant recipients are various school districts and contractors distributed across the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. Notable recipients include the Hudson County School District, which has been awarded up to $1.6 million for five buses and fast charging stations, and the Jackson School District, which will receive $1.86 million for six electric buses and charging infrastructure.
In addition to the grant program, the DEP has launched the New Jersey Fleet Advisor program. This initiative partners with CALSTART, a nonprofit organization, to offer free technical assistance to small fleets operating 20 or fewer vehicles. The program aims to guide these fleets through the process of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. By providing expert advice on vehicle recommendations, cost projections, and infrastructure assessments, the Fleet Advisor program is designed to help fleets, especially those in overburdened communities, make informed decisions about electrification.
As the first round of the Fleet Advisor program commences, 15 fleets will receive technical assistance to navigate their transition to zero-emission vehicles. This program addresses the knowledge gaps that many fleet operators face regarding electric vehicle options, infrastructure needs, and securing available incentives.
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