In an ambitious stride towards sustainable transportation, California has allocated $500 million to introduce 1,000 new electric school buses into its fleet, while other states face setbacks due to federal funding uncertainties. The announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office reveals that these zero-emission buses will be distributed across more than 130 school districts, focusing on rural, low-income, and disadvantaged areas. Additionally, this initiative accompanies the installation of approximately 500 additional charging stations, supplementing over 200 that are currently operational.
This substantial move marks a contrast to actions in other states, where uncertainty around federal funding has stalled progress. Across the nation, over 500 school districts have been anxiously waiting for a $1 billion allocation from the Environmental Protection Agency aimed at financing over 3,400 electric buses. This delay led many districts to postpone or abandon their plans. Recently, the EPA indicated that rebate funds are now being distributed to recipients who have met quality assurance criteria.
California stands out with the most extensive electric school bus fleet in the United States, having invested more than $1.3 billion into these programs. The state boasts over 2,300 funded buses, of which 1,100 are already operational, with some districts achieving complete electric conversion. Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board, emphasized the importance of these initiatives for minimizing children’s exposure to harmful diesel emissions. She stressed the significance of state funding, especially as federal support diminishes.
These efforts are primarily financed by proceeds from California’s cap-and-trade program, which regulates carbon emissions by requiring polluters to acquire permits for emissions produced. The introduction of electric school buses plays a crucial role in California’s quest to attain carbon neutrality by 2045. The state mandates that by 2035, almost all new school buses must be zero-emission vehicles.
California has long been a pioneer in climate policy, implementing measures to limit emissions from various sources including cars, mowers, trucks, and trains. However, these measures have sometimes faced opposition. Recently, a presidential executive order instructed the Department of Justice to challenge state laws that aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
In response, Governor Newsom has criticized these federal actions, accusing them of regressing environmental policy. He assures that California remains dedicated to its pollution reduction goals and will not be deterred by federal pushbacks.