Newly approved funding sets the state on the fastest timeline in the nation to electrify its 47,000 school buses.
ALBANY, April 8, 2022 — Today national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) commended Governor Hochul and the New York legislature for committing to electrify 100% of the state’s 47,000 diesel school buses by 2035. The New York State operating budget solidifies a 2027 target of 100% electric sales for all new school buses, provides funding for charging infrastructure needed to power the transition, and extends lease terms to 12 years from five, offering school districts more flexibility and greater access to the long-term savings these vehicles generate.
“New York is now on track to be the fastest state in the nation to deploy a fully electric school bus fleet, a move which gives the green light to school bus and charging infrastructure manufacturers to bring cutting-edge technologies and their benefits to New York's school children,” said Leah Meredith, Principal at AEE. “The advanced energy industry, including electric bus manufacturers like Navistar, innovative fleet managers like Highland Electric, and charging providers like Nuvve stand ready to match the ambition shown by New York’s leaders.”
In November, New Yorkers will vote on whether to expand New York’s environmental bond act, which includes $500 million in financial assistance for school districts to purchase electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. Because electric school buses have lower operating and maintenance costs than traditional diesel buses, this historic funding will enable New York to enact first-of-its-kind programs that put money back into classrooms and improve local air quality.
“AEE looks forward to working with school districts, Governor Hochul’s administration, NYSERDA, and other education stakeholders to make sure New York can affordably and equitably leave polluting diesel buses behind,” continued Meredith.
AEE has been advocating to speed up electric school bus adoption in New York for several years and led a coalition in support of expanded state aid for school districts for electric school bus adoption. As such, AEE thanked Governor Hochul for her leadership, as well as Assemblymember Patricia Fahy and Senator Tim Kennedy for introducing and championing legislation to provide school districts with funding to switch to electric buses and for the buildout of critical charging infrastructure needed to make it happen.
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