Minnesota Opens Final Round of Electric School Bus Grants
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has officially opened the application period for the final round of its Electric School Bus Grant Program, aiming to help districts across the state replace diesel buses with cleaner, more efficient electric models.
The program offers funding for school districts to either purchase up to three brand-new electric buses or convert existing fossil-fuel-powered buses to run on electricity. Grants also cover the installation of charging stations and the administrative costs associated with procuring vehicles and chargers.
Eligible applicants include independent and special school districts, Tribal contract schools, as well as transportation providers and utilities representing a school district. Full eligibility criteria can be found in the program’s Request for Proposals (RFP).
Funding levels vary based on district need and prioritization criteria. The Department may cover 80 to 90 percent of the cost of the buses and 65 to 95 percent of other eligible expenses. In total, up to $1.9 million is available in this final round.
Applications will be accepted from Monday, August 11, 2025, through Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST. The full RFP is available on the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s RFP webpage.
To help interested applicants navigate the process, the Department will host an informational webinar on Wednesday, August 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CST. The session will provide an overview of the program, walk through the application process, and allow time for questions. Registration for the webinar here.
