The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently announced the $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards program, which is funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.
Managed by NREL, the CBPA program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for school and transit fleets across the United States through Fiscal Year 2024.
The electrification process can be a multiyear project for fleets, including in-depth feasibility studies of technology and financing options, a staggered introduction of buses and infrastructure upgrades, and continued performance analysis to ensure a smooth and affordable transition.
“The process can be intimidating for managers who lack support and resources. That is where the CBPA program comes in,” NREL said.
The application period for assistance and planning is now open on a rolling basis, giving fleet managers an opportunity to fully understand their needs before applying for support, NREL said on Feb. 20.
The new program will facilitate electrification by helping managers create step-by-step plans to transition to zero-emission buses. The CBPA program also offers optional fleet deployment assistance that fills the gap between planning and implementation.
Participating transit and school bus fleets will also 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.
Learn more about NREL's sustainable transportation and mobility research and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. And sign up for NREL's quarterly transportation and mobility research newsletter, Sustainable Mobility Matters, to stay current on the latest news.
