The EPA has made $500 million in rebate funding available for the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program. The application period opened on September 28 and will remain open until January 31, 2024. This is the second rebate funding opportunity through the multi-year funding program.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched this program to help school districts purchase new, cleaner school buses for little or no cost. The Clean School Bus Program funds the replacement of existing diesel and gas-powered buses with cleaner buses that result in better air quality on the bus, near bus loading areas, and in the community generally. This program not only protects the health of children and the environment but also reduces operational costs for schools.
2023 Clean School Bus Rebates Overview
The EPA is prioritizing applications from high-need, rural, and Tribal school districts. There are nearly 100 Wisconsin school districts on the priority list. School Districts are eligible to receive rebates of up to $345,000 per school bus, up to 25 buses per district. These funds are also intended to cover the cost of charging infrastructure.
The deadline to apply for this year’s rebate program is January 31, 2024. School districts that previously applied for CSB funding may reapply if they meet eligibility requirements. Applicants on the 2022 CSB Rebate waitlist must also reapply.
Important Dates
Activity |
Date |
|---|---|
| Online Rebates Application Period | September 28, 2023 – January 31, 2024 |
| Final date to submit questions | January 10, 2024 |
| EPA reviews rebate applications and begins the selection process | February 2024 |
| EPA notifies applicants of selection and posts selectees online. Selectees can proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible infrastructure | April 2024 |
| Selectees submit Payment Request Forms with purchase orders | April 2024 – October 2024 |
| Deadline to receive new buses, install EV chargers, replace old buses, and submit final documentation | April 2026 |
The following entities are eligible to apply for EPA school bus rebates:
- State and local governmental entities that provide bus services, such as public school districts, including charter schools, with an NCES District ID.
- Eligible contractors such as for profit or nonprofit entities that have the capacity to sell or finance clean or zero-emissions school buses or related charging infrastructure to school bus owners.
- Nonprofit school transportation associations.
- Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or tribally controlled schools responsible for the purchase of school buses or providing school bus service for a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funded school.
For questions about eligibility, please contact cleanschoolbus@epa.gov.
For more information on electric school buses, route planning assistance, and applying to the Clean School Bus Program, contact RENEW at info@renewwisconsin.org.