As U.S. school districts move toward zero-emission transportation, Blink Charging is supporting the transition with proven electric school bus charging solutions. With nearly half a million school buses operating nationwide and the federal government investing billions in electrification, now is the time for districts to plan charging infrastructure that supports both daily routes and long-term growth.
Fleets of internal combustion engine vehicles all over the United States are being replaced with electric vehicles (EVs), among many of which are school buses. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened the second round of funding for its Clean School Bus Program Grants. Here’s what you need to know about the EPA Clean School Bus Program and how to choose the right charging stations for your school’s EV bus fleet.
The Clean School Bus Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Clean School Bus Program to help districts replace internal-combustion buses with electric models and build the required charging infrastructure.
The program dedicates $5 billion over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—half earmarked for electric school buses. The EPA also offers $500 million in Clean School Bus rebates, creating major funding opportunities for schools ready to electrify.
Applications for the latest round of Clean School Bus Grants are typically due in late summer, with winners announced later in the year. Eligible applicants include:
Local or state government entities
Tribal organizations and tribally controlled schools
Public or charter school districts
Qualified nonprofit transportation associations
High-need, rural, and Tribal districts receive priority consideration.
Who is eligible for an EPA Clean School Bus Grant?
Any of the following entities play a role in the leasing or purchase of school buses or providing school bus services:
Local or State governmental entities
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and tribally controlled schools
Public charter school districts
Eligible contractors
In addition, the EPA says that “nonprofit transportation associations that are operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; are not organized primarily for profit; and use their net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand their operations” can also apply for funding. The grant page notes that high-need local educational agencies, rural school districts, Bureau of Indian Affairs-funded school districts, and school districts that receive basic support payments for children who reside on Indian land will receive priority.
How do you apply for the EPA Clean School Bus Grant?
In order to apply for this grant program, you will need:
Grants.gov account
Unique Entity Identifier (previously known as the DUNS number)
Current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
Note that all these accounts and registrations could take up to a month or more to process. If you do not have a SAM.gov account, you can create one at login.gov. The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grants page also has resources to help you with your grant application.
Why Electrifying School Bus Fleets Matters
According to the EPA, school buses collectively travel more than 3 billion miles each year, transporting 25 million children daily. Yet only about 1,800 buses are currently electric—representing enormous potential to cut emissions and improve air quality around schools.
Replacing a single diesel bus with an electric model can eliminate up to 54,000 pounds of greenhouse gases annually while lowering fuel and maintenance costs and providing a quieter, cleaner ride for students.
How to Choose the Right EV Bus Chargers
Once your district secures funding, selecting the correct charging mix is key. Every fleet’s size, route length, and schedule are unique, but most schools benefit from a combination of Level 2 (L2) and DC Fast Chargers (DCFC).
| Fleet Size / Operation | Recommended Charger | Charging Time | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Fleets (1–10 buses) | Blink Series 7 Level 2 | 4–8 hours | Overnight depot charging |
| Medium Fleets (10–30 buses) | Mix of L2 + 60 kW DCFC or Series 9 | 1–4 hours | Flexibility for midday or rapid turnarounds |
| Large Fleets (30+ buses) | High-Power DCFC (60–360 kW) | < 1 hour | Rotation-based rapid charging |
Use Blink’s EV Charging Time Calculator to estimate charge durations for your specific models.
All fleets are different, and will require a different mix, but by having both Level 2 chargers and DCFCs, you can reduce installation costs while having access to rapid charging when you need it.
Level 2 chargers like Blink’s MQ 200 can charge a battery in four to eight hours (depending on various factors), while a DCFC like Blink’s 60kW DCFC or Series 9 can generally charge vehicles in under an hour. Between these two types of chargers, you will be able to leave vehicles to charge overnight or when they’re not being used, while also having access to fast charging for when you need a vehicle to be charged quickly.
Blink Charging’s Role in School Bus Electrification
Blink is already powering the electric school bus movement—deploying nearly 400 Level 2 chargers across 14 states at educational facilities.
As Blink founder and CEO Michael Farkas stated, “At a time when diesel prices are at an all-time high and we are seeing a global shift toward electric vehicles, it only makes sense—both economically and environmentally—that our nation’s school bus fleets follow suit.”
Blink partners with utilities and districts—including Southern California Edison and the Fontana Unified School District—to deliver end-to-end support from design and permitting to installation and fleet-management integration.
Learn how Fontana Unified School District uses Blink chargers to power its growing electric school bus fleet.
Fleet Management and Scheduling
Blink’s Fleet Management Software allows operators to:
Schedule charging during off-peak utility hours
Assign chargers to specific vehicles or depots
Monitor charging sessions and energy costs
Generate environmental and cost-savings reports
These tools help fleets minimize downtime, reduce costs, and maintain a reliable daily schedule.
Funding and Incentives
Under the IIJA, electric school bus chargers are an eligible expense—alongside an additional $7.5 billion dedicated to national EV-charging infrastructure. Blink assists districts in identifying grants and rebate programs to make electrification more affordable.
For details on current incentives, visit Blink’s Incentives & Rebates page.
Get Started with Blink
From initial assessment to installation and long-term support, Blink helps school districts nationwide build dependable, scalable charging infrastructure for their electric bus fleets.
To get started, Contact Blink’s Fleet Team or Explore Fleet Charging Solutions to find the right EV charging setup for your organisation.