Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website
California is advancing its transition to zero-emission school buses with a new investment of $500 million, aimed at adding 1,000 clean school buses across the state. This move comes as the demand for zero-emission buses and trucks doubles.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the funding will grant educational agencies the ability to purchase zero-emission buses and chargers. This investment follows a 177% increase in the state's Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) between 2023 and 2024.
The funds support a cleaner future, potentially reducing 18,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions yearly. Newsom stated, "California is paving the way to a cleaner, healthier future by investing in zero-emission vehicles across the state."
The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) project identified 133 educational agencies to be the recipients of the zero-emission school buses and related infrastructure. Most of these grants are earmarked for areas with significant pollution.
The project is a key part of California's goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. "Zero-emission school buses play a key role in California's efforts," said California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild. Furthermore, by 2035, school districts will need to exclusively purchase zero-emission school buses.
The HVIP has invested $754 million over 15 years, aiding the deployment of 10,000 clean trucks and buses. The program, managed by CARB and CALSTART, has created substantial progress in cutting transportation emissions statewide.
"Cleaning up the state's school bus fleet is central to California's efforts to provide clean transportation in priority communities," remarked California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph. Additionally, over 70% of zero-emission school buses operate in California's most polluted regions.
Governor Newsom highlighted the importance of clean transportation, stating that "we're proving that clean transportation is here to stay."
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