ANNAPOLIS, MD—Gov. Wes Moore announced a new grant program aimed at expanding the use of electric school buses throughout Maryland. The program, a key part of Moore’s $90 million climate pledge, is designed to reduce emissions.

“Many communities are already seeing the consequences of climate change in their own backyards. Now, we need to ensure more Marylanders can see themselves in the progress of climate action,” said Moore. “Electrifying our school bus fleet isn’t just the responsible choice for our environment — it’s also the smart thing for our state’s economic competitiveness and our children’s health.”

The Maryland Energy Administration will provide up to $17 million in grant funding through the Fiscal Year 2025 Maryland Electric School Bus Grant Program to help school districts purchase electric school buses, charging infrastructure, and related expenses. These grants cover up to 85% of the added cost of buying qualified electric school buses. The program will provide grants of up to $1.5 million per recipient, with a higher cap of $2 million available for applicants meeting income requirements or representing large school districts.

“The Maryland Electric School Bus Grant Program represents a convergence of the state’s climate, equity and economic goals. The program enables Maryland communities to overcome the initial costs associated with the shift to cleaner vehicles so that they can receive the long-term savings that come with reduced fuel and maintenance costs,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “Because of this program, our kids will breathe cleaner air and our return on the investment of public funds will expand. That’s a clear win-win for Maryland.”

The program prioritizes projects that benefit Title I Schools and underserved communities. The deadline for applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Maryland Electric School Bus Grant Program is Feb. 14, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST. Detailed information about eligibility requirements, program guidelines, and the application process is available on the program webpage. For more information contact Natalie Buscemi, Transportation Program Manager, at [email protected] or 410-537-4071.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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