PORTERVILLE, Calif. — California has approved a GreenPower Motor Co. electric school bus for a state incentive.

The company’s Synapse 72 all-electric Type D school bus has been approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) for up to $110,000 for each Synapse 72 sold in the state of California. (The incentive is $95,000, with disadvantaged communities being eligible for up to an additional $15,000.)

“Utilizing GreenPower’s high-floor platform, clean-sheet design and monocoque body, the Synapse 72 is North America’s first purpose-built, all-electric school bus,” said Fraser Atkinson, chairman of GreenPower. “The HVIP voucher can be combined with other incentives in the state of California, making a compelling case for the purchase of our Synapse 72 all-electric school bus by lowering the upfront costs and accelerating the payback period.”

Additionally, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has set its agenda for its board meeting on May 5, and is proposing to approve awards for 33 electric Type C or Type D school buses and associated charging infrastructure to 16 public school districts and two charter schools for an amount not to exceed $8,844,000.

To be eligible for funding, subsequent to the SCAQMD board approval and prior to contract execution, the applicant must be approved by CARB under the HVIP voucher program. After factoring in the HVIP voucher, SCAQMD will provide additional funding for up to $248,000 for the purchase of an electric school bus.