The Minnesota Department of Commerce (“Department”) seeks proposals to purchase electric school buses from eligible School Districts throughout Minnesota, and applicants on their behalf. Also included in this grant program are funds for necessary charging infrastructure.
The State Legislature allocated a total of $13 million (Minn. Stat. 216C.374) to accelerate School Districts’ adoption of electric school buses and to encourage schools to use vehicle electrification as a teaching tool that can be integrated into the school's curriculum. Public School Districts, Tribal contract schools, as well as eligible applicants representing them may apply for funding, which will be awarded based on financial need and prioritization criteria. Statute mandates two types of assistance to accelerate electric school bus utilization: 1) Funding for eligible applicants to pay for technical assistance in preparation for adopting electric school buses, and 2) Funding to pay for electric school buses and other necessary equipment.
This RFP will provide funding to pay for the procurement of electric school buses and other related equipment.
Applications Due: December 17, 2024