Connecticut Clean School Bus Program
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates Program provides funding to replace existing school buses with zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) and low-emission models. With funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58 (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, "BIL"), the EPA CSB Rebates Program has increased funding by $5 billion over the next five years (fiscal years 2022-2026). In addition to offering rebates for school bus replacement, the EPA CSB Rebates Program provides a limited amount of funding for infrastructure upgrades necessary to install charging equipment for the buses.
Additionally, Section 13 of Public Act No. 22-25 authorizes DEEP to establish a grant program to provide supplemental funds necessary for municipalities, school districts and school bus operators to submit federal grant applications, for the purpose of funding projects for electric school buses and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This supplemental grant program is intended to pay for a portion of the incremental cost of zero-emission school buses not covered by EPA funding. The DEEP program will also provide supplemental grants to EPA CSB Rebates Program awardees for infrastructure upgrades.
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Current Clean School Bus Funding Opportunities (CLOSED)
Clean School Bus Supplemental Grant Program
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce a Request for Applications (RFA) to support Clean School Bus projects in Connecticut. This RFA makes supplemental funding available in coordination with the Connecticut Green Bank’s Low Interest Financing Request for Proposals. Recipients of previously awarded federal ESB grant funds are highly encouraged to apply. Applications for both programs are required to be submitted by the extended deadline of January 10, 2025. Please see the RFA for information regarding eligibility, terms and conditions, and ranking criteria.
Priority will be given to projects planned or proposed in Connecticut Distressed Municipalities and Federal Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities. More information on these communities is provided in the RFA.
PROGRAM UPDATE:
On February 9th 2025, DEEP sent award letters to all five eligible school bus fleet owners. The cumulative maximum award for all awardees was $5,317,000. These grant awards will serve as supplemental funding to federal EPA Clean School Bus funding awards.
These awards include:
- Autumn Transportation Serving the Hartford Public Schools District, awardee
will be eligible to receive up to $837,000.00 in supplemental state funding for the deployment of 25 battery electric buses and 25 single-port DC electric vehicle fast chargers. - Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, will be eligible to receive up to $40,000 per eligible bus and associated charging infrastructure submitted in the application, for a total of up to $1,000,000. These funds will be used for the deployment of 25 electric school buses and the associated charging infrastructure, including 17 single-port DC fast chargers and 12 dual-port Level 2 chargers. The buses and chargers will serve various locations around the state.
- DATTCO Inc, serving East Hartford Public School district, will be eligible to receive up to $80,000 for the deployment of 2 electric school buses and the associated charging infrastructure, including 2 single-port DC fast chargers.
- First Student serving the Shelton, Fairfield and West Hartford Public School districts, will be eligible to receive up to $1,560,000 for the deployment of 39 electric school buses and the associated charging infrastructure, including 20 dual-port DC fast chargers.
- ZUM Services Inc., serving Branford Public School District, will be eligible to receive up to $1,840,000 for the deployment of 46 electric school buses and the associated charging infrastructure, including 46 single-port DC fast chargers.
If you have any questions about the DEEP forms, please email DEEP.MobileSources@ct.gov with the subject "DEEP Clean School Bus RFA Question.”
2024 EPA Clean School Bus Program Rebate (closed January 10, 2025)
On September 26, 2024, EPA announced the latest 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Program. Like EPA’s previous Clean School Bus funding rounds, funding will be for the replacement of older Diesel bus models with electric, propane, or compressed natural gas (CNG) bus models that will produce zero or low tailpipe emissions compared to their Diesel predecessors. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity are (1) state and local governmental entities that provide bus services; (2) charter school districts, (3) Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Tribally controlled schools, (4) nonprofit school transportation associations, and (5) eligible contractors (including OEMs, dealers, school bus service providers, and private bus fleets).
EPA will provide a combined funding amount to cover both bus and infrastructure costs for all awardees requesting electric school buses. EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or those receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land, and rural areas (Priority Districts).
Other Resources
2023 EPA Clean School Bus Rebates Program
The 2023 EPA CSB Rebates Program is expected to be announced in the fall of 2023. This program will fund activities similar to those funded through the 2023 EPA CSB Program Grants, with a shorter application, different selection mechanism, and different program requirements.
EPA Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates
Other EPA Grant Opportunities
EPA's Boston office provides information regarding grants and funding in New England on its website.
Clean Cities Grant Programs
Your organization may be able to take advantage of incentive and financial opportunities for reducing petroleum use in your fleet of vehicles.
World Research Institute Resources
Electric School Bus Initiative
Technical Assistance Request Form
Connecticut Clean School Bus Projects
2022 EPA Clean School Bus Rebates Program, 2023 EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program 2023 EPA Clean School Bus Grant program
In accordance with the Executive Order Unleashing American Energy, EPA conducted a review of 2023 clean school bus rebate funds, that assessment has concluded and funds are being distributed to selectees that passed quality assurance requirements. These selectees are noted as having Funds awarded while remaining selectees are still under review by the EPA. (updated 04/28/25)
CT Projects Selected for 2022 and 2023 EPA CSB Rebate Funding:
- Connecticut Technical Education and Career System: up to $7,625,000.00 toward the replacement of 25 class A school buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure. Funds awarded
- Branford Public School district: up to $5,000,000 toward the replacement of 25 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure.
- West Hartford Public School district: up to $4,400,000 toward the replacement of 22 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure. Funds awarded
- Shelton Public School district: up to $3,000,000 toward the replacement of 15 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure.
- Fairfield Public School district: up to $2,000,000 toward the replacement of 10 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure. Funds awarded
- Ridgefield Public School district: up to $1,055,000 toward the replacement of 7 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure.
- East Hartford Public School district: up to $400,000 toward the replacement of 2 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure.
- Bridgeport Public School district: up to $8,625,000 toward the replacement of 25 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure. Funds awarded
CT Projects Selected for 2023 EPA CSB Grant Funding:
- Connecticut Technical Education and Career System: up to $10,000,000.00 toward the replacement of 25 class C school buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure.
- Hartford Public School district: up to $10,000,000 toward the replacement of 25 buses with EV equivalents and EV charging infrastructure.
Archive of Completed Clean School Bus Projects
The following is a compilation of all projects completed utilizing Clean School Bus funding. For information on some of DEEP's other diesel initiatives, please visit our Diesel Emissions Reduction Projects (DERA) webpage.
EPA Clean School Bus Rebates Program and Connecticut Clean School Bus Matching Grant Program
All projects are currently ongoing.
Links to Additional Resources
- WRI Assistance Website (Talk To an Expert | Electric School Bus Initiative)
- Clean Cities
- Calstart Zeroing in on ESB
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean School Bus Program
- EPA Clean School Bus Program
- The CSB Technical Assistance webpage
Archived Links and Resources
- EPA Clean School Bus Program Fact Sheet
- 2022 EPA Clean School Bus Rebates Program Overview Flyer
- 2022 EPA Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates Program Guide (May 2022)
- 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates - Prioritized School Districts (May 2022)
- 2022 EPA Clean School Bus Rebates: Application User Guide (May 2022)
- 2022 EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Next Steps Flyer (October 2022)
- 2022 Awarded Clean School Bus Program Rebates | US EPA
- 2022 EPA Clean School Bus Rebates: Payment Request User Guide (November 2022)
Content last updated June 18, 2025