California is launching a new statewide funding program that will put 1,000 new, zero-emission school buses on the road. The program will distribute $500 million to school districts and other educational entities to replace aging school buses with zero-emission vehicles and purchase needed infrastructure.

The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI program is accepting funding applications through 30 September.

The program is a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), and is administered by CALSTART, a transportation non-profit.

In California, all school bus purchases made by school districts will need to be zero-emission technology by 2035, with an extension until 2040 for school districts in rural communities.

The time children spend in school bus commutes accounts for less than 10% of a child’s day, yet the commutes have been found to contribute up to 33% of a child’s daily exposure to some air pollutants, according to a study funded by CARB.

To date, California has provided more than $1.3 billion in incentives to school districts which has funded more than 2,300 zero-emission school buses, of which 1,100 are already in use. More than 70% of the zero-emission buses in operation are in the state’s most pollution-burdened communities. More than 300 California school districts and local education agencies have purchased at least one zero-emission bus—and a few have made the switch to a 100% clean fleet.

Awardees can receive up to $375,000 to replace internal combustion engine school buses with zero-emission vehicles, in addition to awards up to $95,000 per school bus to purchase and install associated charging infrastructure. Awardees will be required to scrap an old school bus for every new bus purchased.

First priority for the funding will be given to small or rural school districts, as well as local educational agencies that have a large proportion of students who receive free or reduced-price meals, are in foster care, or are English-language learners. Local educational agencies located in low-income or disadvantaged communities will receive secondary priority.

Complementary infrastructure is key to enabling school fleets to make the switch to zero-emission vehicles. ZESBI supports local educational agencies in making the switch by designating funding for charger procurement, installation and associated costs. Eligible infrastructure costs can include solar-powered technology that supports grid resiliency and allows for potential revenue by exporting surplus energy back to the grid during periods of high energy demand. A portion of funds can also be used for expenses such as transportation for staff training, shop equipment, and fleet planning needed for zero-emission vehicles.