The new $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) program offers school and transit bus fleets free technical assistance to develop comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans, reducing barriers to zero-emission bus deployment.
The CPBA program is managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. CBPA connects transit and school bus fleets with technical experts to support planning for bus electrification. The program aims to facilitate electrification by helping managers create step-by-step plans to transition to zero-emission buses. CBPA also offers optional fleet deployment assistance that fills the gap between planning and implementation. Participating transit and school bus fleets will be better prepared to apply for grants, such as those from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program and the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Grant Program, which help pay for the electrification process. Fleets also have the option to receive free deployment assistance from NREL upon completion of their plan.
How to apply
Complete and submit the application form to apply for technical assistance from NREL’s CPBA program. Applications are open on a rolling basis through September 30, 2024, allowing fleets to fully understand their needs before applying for support.
