Arlington Public Schools is set to add several new all-electric school buses to its fleet next year.
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Arlington is among 18 Virginia school districts awarded the 2023 Clean School Bus rebate to purchase five new all-electric (or low-emission) buses.
Funded through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the rebate program is intended to help school districts across the country transition from away from diesel-powered buses to zero-emission electric buses or buses powered by propane and natural gas.
“The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts and produce cleaner air,” per an EPA press release. “Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Phasing out these older diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day.”
Since its rollout in 2022, approximately $3 billion of the $5 billion allocated to the program has been distributed to school districts in 47 states, Washington D.C., several federally recognized tribes, and U.S. territories. As of January 2024, the EPA had funded the purchase of approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide, according to the EPA.
This year, Virginia school districts are set to receive nearly $26 million this year to purchase 116 “clean” school buses.
“I’m thrilled to see this federal funding headed to Virginia to help provide students with safe, reliable transportation while combating climate change and reducing pollution,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said in the release.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) also expressed excitement for the program, noting this money “will help reduce emissions and protect our air.”
Arlington Public Schools will get about $1 million to purchase three large and two small all-electric school buses, according to APS spokesperson Frank Bellavia. He noted that once the school system purchases the buses there is a 12-15 month delivery window.
Last year, the school system introduced its first two battery-powered school buses through a state grant.
The county is looking to potentially invest billions of dollars in clean energy and other green capital projects over the next decade to achieve its climate goals. Those goals include attaining 100% renewable electricity countywide by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050, as outlined in the county’s 2019 Community Energy Plan.
Arlington reached its 2025 goal of entirely powering county government operations through renewable energy early.
