2024 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $965 million dollars in funding to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing school buses with clean school buses, including propane buses. Propane buses are eligible for up to $35,000 per bus. While NPGA continues to fight for increased funding, we are glad to see an incremental advancement towards parity with electric buses: between the previous funding program and this rebate program, propane bus funding stayed the same while electric bus funding was reduced by up to $30,000 per bus.

Applications will be accepted from state and local governmental entities that provide bus service, including public school districts; eligible contractors; nonprofit school transportation associations; Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Tribally-controlled schools responsible for the purchase, lease, license, or contract for service of school buses or for providing school bus service for a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funded schools, and third parties including school bus dealers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), school bus service providers, and private school bus fleets that meet specified criteria are eligible contractors.

The 2024 Clean School Bus Rebates process includes SAM.gov account registration, rebate application submission, review and selection by the EPA, selectees will then submit purchase orders to request payment and then receive payment, which is followed by new bus delivery, existing bus replacement, and project close out. The program guidance and application process differ from prior EPA school bus rebate programs. View the summary of program requirements and the detailed Program Guide.

Questions? Consult your NPGA member dashboard for an FAQ about the rebate program, a template letter to send to eligible entities, or contact NPGA Director of Regulatory Affairs Kate Gaziano.