New Nevada Law Makes Electric School Bus Funding Available

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A new state law will make electric bus and infrastructure funding available to school districts.

On Thursday, Gov. Steve Sisolak signed Senate Bill 299, which changes provisions in existing law related to the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program, allowing school districts to participate.

The law, which goes into effect on July 1, makes districts in the state eligible for program funds that cover 75% of the cost to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure or buy electric vehicles for the purpose of transporting students. Districts can also partner with a public utility to buy an energy storage system.

"Electric buses can bring our schools and state huge savings down the road: not just for our bank accounts, but for the health of our children and environment," Sisolak said upon signing the bill. "Zero-emissions buses cost 30% less to maintain than traditional diesel buses. In fact, replacing just one diesel bus with an electric bus is equivalent to taking 27 cars off the road, and can save more than $11,000 per year in fuel and maintenance costs."

Sisolak added that signing the bill enables the state to "[open] the door for our utility companies and school districts to partner to protect our environment and improve the quality of life for our children and the communities they call home."

In recent related news, New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would require a handful of state agencies to develop and implement a three-year electric school bus pilot program. The bill is awaiting review from the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, according to the state legislature’s website. Additionally, the Maryland Legislature is reviewing a bill that would establish a grant program to provide electric school bus and charging infrastructure funding for school districts and school bus contractors.