CINXE.COM
New Program Offers Free Technical Assistance to Develop Bus Fleet Electrification Plans 路 Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US" class="usa-js-loading"> <head> <script nonce="6lrwqKq5p0nCJD9QpEVQiQ=="> //<![CDATA[ // Google Tag Manager (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','tadaAnalyticsDataLayer','GTM-NVFRH9K'); //]]> </script> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta name="description" content="The Clean Bus Planning Awards managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory offer access to free technical assistance for customized electrification plans for bus fleets serving all communities. "> <meta property="og:url" content="https://driveelectric.gov/news/clean-bus-planning-awards"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Joint Office of Energy and Transportation"> <meta property="og:title" content="New Program Offers Free Technical Assistance to Develop Bus Fleet Electrification Plans 路 Joint Office of Energy and Transportation"> <meta property="og:description" content="The Clean Bus Planning Awards managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory offer access to free technical assistance for customized electrification plans for bus fleets serving all communities. "> <meta property="twitter:domain" content="driveelectric.gov"> <meta property="twitter:title" content="New Program Offers Free Technical Assistance to Develop Bus Fleet Electrification Plans 路 Joint Office of Energy and Transportation"> <meta property="twitter:description" content="The Clean Bus Planning Awards managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory offer access to free technical assistance for customized electrification plans for bus fleets serving all communities. "> <meta property="twitter:url" content="https://driveelectric.gov/news/clean-bus-planning-awards"> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta property="twitter:image" content="/files/u/news_post/55/photo_upload/optimized-a84e9fb118ec6bebe7cc17b652973510.jpg?4bfa873b75"> <meta property="twitter:image:alt" content="electric bus charging"> <meta property="og:image" content="/files/u/news_post/55/photo_upload/optimized-a84e9fb118ec6bebe7cc17b652973510.jpg?4bfa873b75"> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="electric bus charging"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="810"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="455"> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" sizes="any"> <link rel="icon" href="/vite/assets/icon-fbfe9d04.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/vite/assets/apple-touch-icon-55053c1f.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.webmanifest"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@100;400;500;600;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <meta name="csrf-param" content="authenticity_token" /> <meta name="csrf-token" content="qYTKlpmCXc8guAhsK0CD8LykeGxT7E5cCCByHnprlOdY7zP-qd9p41_N2hcffhPWUbp0F8lTo24P4PfgCYLkmg" /> <meta name="csp-nonce" content="6lrwqKq5p0nCJD9QpEVQiQ==" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/vite/assets/application-6e71c834.css" media="all" /> <title>New Program Offers Free Technical Assistance to Develop Bus Fleet Electrification Plans 路 Joint Office of Energy and Transportation</title> </head> <body data-turbo="false"> <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NVFRH9K" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> <a class="usa-skipnav" href="#main-content">Skip to main content</a> <section id="usa-banner" class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official government website" data-turbo-permanent> <div class="usa-accordion"> <header class="usa-banner__header"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <img alt="U.S. flag" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/vite/assets/us_flag_small-8a6f68dd.png" /> </div> <div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto"> <p class="usa-banner__header-text"> An official website of the United States government </p> <p class="usa-banner__header-action" aria-hidden="true"> Here鈥檚 how you know </p> </div> <button class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default" > <span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here鈥檚 how you know</span> </button> </div> </header> <div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img alt="" class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" role="img" aria-hidden="true" src="/vite/assets/icon-dot-gov-54f6653a.svg" /> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong> Official websites use .gov </strong> <br /> A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img alt="" class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" role="img" aria-hidden="true" src="/vite/assets/icon-https-912daff9.svg" /> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong> Secure .gov websites use HTTPS </strong> <br /> A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock" ><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title-default banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false" > <title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description-default">A locked padlock</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z" /></svg ></span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you鈥檝e safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <header id="usa-header" class="usa-header usa-header--basic border-bottom border-secondary" data-turbo-permanent> <div class="usa-nav-container"> <div class="usa-navbar display-flex flex-align-center"> <div class="usa-logo display-flex flex-align-center" id="basic-logo"> <em class="usa-logo__text"> <img alt="Home" class="jo-icon" src="/vite/assets/icon-fbfe9d04.svg" /> <a href="/" title="Joint Office of Energy and Transportation"> <span class="display-inline-block">Joint Office of Energy <br /> and Transportation</span> </a> </em> </div> <button class="usa-menu-btn">Menu</button> </div> <nav aria-label="Primary" class="usa-nav"> <div> <button class="usa-nav__close"> <img alt="Close" role="img" src="/vite/assets/close-b5434245.svg" /> </button> <ul class="usa-nav__primary usa-accordion"> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="about-nav"> <span>About</span> </button> <ul id="about-nav" class="usa-nav__submenu"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12 nav-section-main-page"> <a href="/about"><span><strong>About</strong></span></a> </li> <div class="grid-row"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/accomplishments"><span>Accomplishments</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/ev-working-group"><span>EV Working Group</span></a> </li> </div> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="audiences-nav"> <span>Who We Help</span> </button> <ul id="audiences-nav" class="usa-nav__submenu"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12 nav-section-main-page"> <a href="/who-we-help"><span><strong>Who We Help</strong></span></a> </li> <div class="grid-row"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/industry"><span>Industry</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/ride"><span>Riders</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/states"><span>States</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/communities"><span>Communities</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/tribal-nations"><span>Tribal Nations</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/school-districts"><span>School Districts</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/transit-agencies"><span>Transit Agencies</span></a> </li> </div> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="programs-nav"> <span>Programs & Services</span> </button> <ul id="programs-nav" class="usa-nav__submenu"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12 nav-section-main-page"> <a href="/programs-services"><span><strong>Programs & Services</strong></span></a> </li> <div class="grid-row"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/standards-reliability"><span>Standards & Reliability</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/technical-assistance"><span>Technical Assistance</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/utility-programs"><span>Utility Programs</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/cybersecurity"><span>Cybersecurity</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/data-analytics"><span>Data & Analytics</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/workforce-development"><span>Workforce Development</span></a> </li> </div> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="funding-nav"> <span>Funding</span> </button> <ul id="funding-nav" class="usa-nav__submenu"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12 nav-section-main-page"> <a href="/funding-opportunities"><span><strong>Funding</strong></span></a> </li> <div class="grid-row"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/funding-programs"><span>Funding Search</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/funding-resources"><span>Funding Resources</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/funded-projects"><span>Research & Projects</span></a> </li> </div> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link usa-current" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="news-nav"> <span>News & Resources</span> </button> <ul id="news-nav" class="usa-nav__submenu"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12 nav-section-main-page"> <a href="/news-events"><span><strong>Current News & Events</strong></span></a> </li> <div class="grid-row"> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/news"><span>News</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/events"><span>Events</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/webinars"><span>Webinars</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/newsletters"><span>Newsletters</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/subscribe"><span>Subscribe</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item desktop:grid-col-12"> <a href="/publications"><span>Publications</span></a> </li> </div> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/contact" class="usa-nav__link"> <span>Contact</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <div class="mobile-logo-container display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center desktop:display-none"> <img alt="Home" class="jo-icon" src="/vite/assets/icon-fbfe9d04.svg" /> <a href="/" class="text-primary-darker text-no-underline">Joint Office of Energy and Transportation</a> </div> </div> </header> <main id="main-content"> <div class="usa-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-3 margin-bottom"> <nav aria-label="Secondary"> <ul class="usa-sidenav"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/news" class="usa-current">News</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/events" class="">Events</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/webinars" class="">Webinars</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/newsletters" class="">Newsletters</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/subscribe" class="">Subscribe</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/publications" class="">Publications</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-9"> <h1>New Program Offers Free Technical Assistance to Develop Bus Fleet Electrification Plans </h1> <div class="news-events"> <p class="date">Feb. 20, 2024</p> <img alt="electric bus charging" src="/files/u/news_post/55/photo_upload/optimized-a84e9fb118ec6bebe7cc17b652973510.jpg?4bfa873b75" /> <p>Today, the <a href="https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2024/clean-bus-planning-awards-support-fleet-electrification-with-custom-transition-plans.html">National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced</a> the $5 million <a href="https://www.driveelectric.gov/clean-bus-planning-awards">Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) program</a>, funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office). Managed by NREL, the CBPA program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for fleets across the United States through Fiscal Year 2024. Electrifying school and transit buses can help communities meet decarbonization goals and improve health outcomes. States and municipalities across the country are looking to electrify bus fleets鈥攖he transition to electric buses is more in demand than ever before.</p> <p>The process can be a multiyear project for fleets, including in-depth feasibility studies of technology and financing options, a staggered introduction of buses and infrastructure upgrades, and continued performance analysis to ensure a smooth and affordable transition. The process can be intimidating for managers who lack support and resources. That鈥檚 where the CBPA program comes in.</p> <p>NREL's application period for assistance and planning is now open on a rolling basis, giving fleet managers an opportunity to fully understand their needs before applying for support.</p> <p>This new program will facilitate electrification in the first round of awards by helping managers create step-by-step plans to transition to zero-emission buses. The CBPA program also offers optional fleet deployment assistance that fills the gap between planning and implementation. Participating transit and school bus fleets will also be better prepared to apply for grants such as those from the Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 Clean School Bus Program and the Federal Transit Administration鈥檚 Low or No Emission Grant Program, to help pay for the electrification process. The CBPA will help fulfill the Joint Office鈥檚 mission to support convenient, affordable, accessible, reliable, and safe transportation system across America. <a href="https://www.driveelectric.gov/clean-bus-planning-awards">Learn more.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div class="grid-container usa-footer__return-to-top"> <a href="#">Return to top</a> </div> <section class="usa-section site-map"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="desktop:grid-col-3"> <div class="site-list text-white"> <ul> <li><a href="/about"><h2 class="margin-top-4 tablet:margin-top-0">About</h2></a></li> <li><a href="/accomplishments">Accomplishments</a></li> <li><a href="/ev-working-group">EV Working Group</a></li> <li><button class="list-expand text-white" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="about-expand">Partners<i class="fas fa-chevron-up fa-fw"></i><i class="fas fa-chevron-down fa-fw"></i></button> <ul class="list-collapse" id="about-expand" hidden> <li><a href="https://www.energy.gov/">DOE</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.transportation.gov/">DOT</a></li> <li><a href="https://highways.dot.gov/">FHWA</a></li> <li><a href="https://fueleconomy.gov/">FuelEconomy.gov</a></li> <li><a href="https://afdc.energy.gov/">AFDC</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/">EPA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/">FTA</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="desktop:grid-col-3"> <div class="site-list text-white"> <ul> <li><a href="/who-we-help"><h2 class="margin-top-4 tablet:margin-top-0">Who We Help</h2></a></li> <li><a href="/industry">Industry</a></li> <li><a href="/ride">Riders</a></li> <li><a href="/states">States</a></li> <li><a href="/communities">Communities</a></li> <li><a href="/tribal-nations">Tribal Nations</a></li> <li><a href="/school-districts">School Districts</a></li> <li><a href="/transit-agencies">Transit Agencies</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="desktop:grid-col-3"> <div class="site-list text-white"> <ul> <li><a href="/programs-services"><h2 class="margin-top-4 tablet:margin-top-0">Programs & Services</h2></a></li> <li><a href="/standards-reliability">Standards & Reliability</a></li> <li><a href="/technical-assistance">Technical Assistance</a></li> <li><a href="/utility-programs">Utility Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/cybersecurity">Cybersecurity</a></li> <li><a href="/data-analytics">Data & Analytics</a></li> <li><a href="/workforce-development">Workforce Development</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="desktop:grid-col-3"> <div class="site-list text-white"> <ul> <li><h2 class="margin-top-4 tablet:margin-top-0">Key Resources</h2></li> <li><a href="/funding-opportunities">Funding</a></li> <li><a href="/news-events">News & Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/ev-infrastructure-playbook">Infrastructure Playbook</a></li> <li><a href="/files/zef-corridor-strategy.pdf">Freight Corridor Strategy</a></li> <li><a href="/files/community-emobility-charging.pdf">Community Charging Emerging Practices</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--slim"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-4 display-flex flex-column flex-justify-start margin-bottom-3"> <img alt="Logo for Joint office of Energy and Transportation" class="footer-logo" src="/vite/assets/horizontal_logo-baa57ff6.png" /> <div> <a class="font-heading-3xs text-primary-darker" href="https://www.energy.gov">energy.gov</a> | <a class="font-heading-3xs text-primary-darker" href="https://www.transportation.gov">transportation.gov</a> </div> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-4 display-flex flex-column flex-justify-start margin-bottom-2"> <div class="text-bold text-primary-darker">Need technical assistance?</div> <div class="footer-contact-btns display-flex flex-row margin-top-2"> <a href="/contact" class="usa-button bg-primary-darker text-white hover:bg-white hover:border-primary-darker hover:text-primary-darker"> <span class="btn-contact-msg"><span class="contact-icon message-icon"></span>Send us a message</span> </a> <a href="tel:8336002751" class="usa-button bg-primary-darker hover:bg-white hover:border-primary-darker hover:text-primary-darker skip-file-icon"> <span class="btn-contact-msg"><span class="contact-icon call-icon"></span>Call 833-600-2751</span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-4 display-flex flex-column flex-justify-start"> <div class="text-bold text-primary-darker">Subscribe to news and updates</div> <div class="footer-contact-btns display-flex flex-row margin-top-2"> <a href="/subscribe" class="usa-button bg-primary-darker text-white hover:bg-white hover:border-primary-darker hover:text-primary-darker"> <span class="btn-contact-msg"><i class="fa-solid fa-square-rss contact-icon"></i>Sign up for news</span> </a> </div> <div class="display-flex margin-top-2"> <a class="text-no-underline display-inline-flex text-primary-darker de-social-link" data-disable-external-link-warning="true" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/joint-office-of-energy-and-transportation"><span class="linkedin-icon"></span>LinkedIn</a> <a class="text-no-underline display-inline-flex margin-left-2 text-primary-darker de-social-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/@jointoffice"><span class="youtube-icon"></span>YouTube</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/vite/assets/footer-c6f18959.js" crossorigin="anonymous" type="module"></script> <script src="/vite/assets/application-9284079a.js" crossorigin="anonymous" type="module"></script><link rel="modulepreload" href="/vite/assets/jquery-2e5aa6ef.js" as="script" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link rel="modulepreload" href="/vite/assets/highcharts-80f673da.js" as="script" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link rel="modulepreload" href="/vite/assets/_commonjsHelpers-23102255.js" as="script" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link rel="modulepreload" href="/vite/assets/accessibility-a74762b8.js" as="script" crossorigin="anonymous"> </body> </html>