New Jersey Awards $32M for Electric School Buses and Charging Stations

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection distributed nearly $32 million in grants. These grants target zero-emission school buses and public charging infrastructure. The money includes more than $18 million dedicated to 53 electric school buses and 41 fast chargers. Another $13.6 million will support 26 projects that create charging stations accessible to the public.

The $18 million marks the second round of the Electric School Bus Grant Program. Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation authorizing this program back in 2022. It allocates up to $45 million across three years to swap out diesel school buses for battery-electric vehicles and construct charging infrastructure. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Clean Energy Fund finances the initiative.

"The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey," said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, according to DEP. "These grant programs are advancing New Jersey's long-term electric-vehicle emission reduction goals by replacing diesel school buses that emit harmful pollutants with clean electric buses and by expanding public and private charging infrastructure in our communities."

Grant recipients span the northern, central, and southern regions across the state. Eleven awards landed in overburdened communities. Schools and school districts secured nine direct awards, while bus contractors working with state schools received five awards.

Camden City School District secured up to $2.04 million. That money buys six school buses and three fast-charging stations. West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District obtained up to $2.1 million through its contractor, Highland Electric Fleets, purchasing six school buses and six fast-charging stations. Montgomery Township School District received up to $2.04 million for six school buses and three fast-charging stations.

"The 53 buses funded in year two will nearly double the state's current zero-emission fleet," said Anjuli Ramos, Director of the NJ Sierra Club. "Most will serve overburdened districts, helping to reduce diesel pollution linked to high asthma rates among children."

The EV Charging Grant Program will finance 82 charging stations equipped with 136 fast-charging ports. These stations will appear in 16 counties. Fifteen private and governmental entities secured awards between $400,000 and $600,000. Award amounts depend on how many charging ports get built. Winners include Chargeflex LLC, DVM Industries, and EV Edison.

The DEP announced the first round of grants in 2024. That round distributed $15 million for 48 electric school buses. The state now operates more than 1,900 fast-charging ports. It also has more than 3,100 Level 2 charging ports.