NY School Bus Incentive Program Overview | NYSERDA

NY School Bus Incentive Program Overview | NYSERDA
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Back to Electric School Buses
NY School Bus Incentive Program Overview
In the April 2022 budget passed by the New York State Legislature and signed by Governor Hochul, the State established a deadline for the transition to zero-emission buses. Specifically, all school buses purchased by 2027 must be zero-emission buses, with the entire fleet transitioned to zero emission by 2035. In 2022, voters across NYS overwhelming voted for the Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act) which includes $500M to support the transition to zero-emission school buses. NYSERDA has established the NY School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP) to achieve these State public purposes and assist school districts in meeting the zero-emission bus timelines.
NYSBIP is a voucher incentive program which will accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses and charging infrastructures throughout New York State. Zero-emission school buses include both electric school buses and hydrogen fuel cell school buses (collectively referred to as ESBs). A total of $500M is available to fund the acquisition of new ESBs and charging infrastructure, and help districts complete a Fleet Electrification Plan. School Bus Voucher Applications and Charging Voucher Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. NYSBIP rules and documents are available for review and preparation prior to applications being submitted. For more information about program eligibility and rules, consult the
NYSBIP Implementation Manual
[PDF]
or reach out to the Voucher Help Center at
[email protected]
or by phone at (866) 595-7917.
Announcements
January 29, 2026:
The NYSBIP Charging Voucher Portal has been migrated to the NYSERDA partner portal. New applicants will need to fill out a
contractor application
which will need to be approved before applying to the new
NYSBIP Charging Voucher Portal
A recording of our webinar reviewing this change is available here
February 11, 2025:
NYSERDA, in collaboration with Spectivate, has developed a NYSBIP
Incentive Calculator tool
. A recording of our webinar demonstrating this tool is available
here
December 16, 2024:
A new version of the
NYSBIP Implementation Manual
[PDF]
along with the
Summary of Changes
[PDF]
is available now. Changes to the manual include updates school bus caps and added additional rules to the School Bus Voucher Application and Redemption timeline. A recording of our webinar reviewing these changes is available
here
August 12, 2024:
An additional $200 million is now available from the Bond Act to fund zero-emissions school buses and associated infrastructure through NYSBIP.
March 5, 2024:
NYSERDA is accepting Charging Voucher Applications on the first-come, first-served basis. To submit a Charging Voucher Application, Purchasers must access the NYSBIP Charging Voucher Portal
and create an account. Once the account has been created, Purchasers may begin submitting applications.
Please note that Charging Voucher funds are based on an ESB purchase, though the purchase does not have to be through NYSBIP
. Once approved, Purchasers can install their charging infrastructure. After installation is complete and paid for, the Purchaser will return to the School Bus Charging Portal and submit documentation for Charging Voucher Redemption. Once approved, NYSERDA will send the voucher funds to the Purchaser for reimbursement. For more information about the Charging Voucher rules and process, refer to the NYSBIP Implementation Manual.
November 29, 2023:
NYSERDA is accepting School Bus Voucher Applications on a first-come, first-serve basis
- subject to per fleet caps
. To submit a School Bus Voucher Application, Purchasers must use the
Eligible ESB List
[XLSX]
, to determine which ESB(s) they would like to purchase  and which Eligible Dealer they would like to work with to apply. The Dealer will then submit a School Bus Voucher Application through the
NYSERDA Portal
for approval. Once approved, Dealers can sell the ESB(s) to the Purchaser with the School Bus Voucher amount discounted from the final purchase price. When the ESB(s) is paid for and delivered, the Dealer will return to the Contractor Portal and submit documentation for School Bus Voucher Redemption. Once approved, NYSERDA will send the voucher funds to the Dealer. For more information about the School Bus Voucher rules and process, refer to the
NYSBIP Implementation Manual
[PDF]
Please note that the eligible ESB list will be updated with additional ESBs and Dealers regularly and is not final.
Charging Voucher Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning early 2024. Program documents are available now for review and preparation prior to applications being accepted. For more information about program eligibility and rules, consult the
NYSBIP Implementation Manual
[PDF]
Webinar Recordings and Presentations
Our webinars and presentations can be viewed on our
Informational Webinars page
School Bus Vouchers
School Bus Voucher Base Amounts
The base voucher amounts for NYSBIP intend to cover a large percentage of the incremental cost of a new or repowered zero-emission school bus. Voucher amounts are categorized by type of bus (e.g., Type A, Type C, Type D) and by whether the bus is purchased new or if it is an existing bus that is being repowered.
School Bus Type
Percentage of Incremental Cost Covered
Base Voucher Dollar Amount
New Type A (NTA)
60%
$114,000
New Type C (NTC)
60%
$147,000
New Type D
(NTD)
60%
$156,000
Repowered Type A (RTA)
75%
$105,000
Repowered Type C (RTC)
75%
$135,000
School Bus Voucher Bonuses and Complementary Add-On Amounts
School Bus Voucher Bonuses
Voucher amounts can be increased through two additional bonuses by meeting additional criteria:
Buses serving a Priority District
a. Priority Districts include SED-designated High Need/Resource Capacity districts and districts that serve Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). This bonus will also apply for school buses that are stored in an existing depot that is situated in a DAC. To find out if your school district is considered a Priority District, see the
Priority Districts List
[XLSM]
Scrapping the vehicle being replaced
a. Scrapping is verifiably rendering inoperable an Internal Combustion Engine vehicle with an engine dated 7 years or older than the year of application by cutting a three-inch hole in the engine block and disabling the chassis by cutting the vehicle's frame rails completely in half.
Complementary School Bus Voucher Add-Ons
In addition to the bonus amounts, two additional ‘add-ons’ are available for Purchasers that request specialized equipment be installed on their vehicle. The amounts are intended to help cover the additional expenses associated with these vehicle modifications:
School Bus Type
Priority District Bonus Amount
Scrappage Bonus Amount
V2G Add-On Amount
Wheelchair Add-On Amount
NTA
$28,500
$47,500
$9,500
$8,000
NTC
$36,750
$61,250
$12,250
$8,000
NTD
$39,000
$65,000
$13,000
$8,000
RTA
$21,000
N/A
$7,000
N/A
RTC
$27,000
N/A
$9,000
N/A
Eligible Purchasers
In terms of ownership, the following Fleets may apply to NYSBIP:
New York State public school districts or other public entities that provide pupil transportation services;
Third-party Operators under contract with a New York State public school district.
Eligible Vehicles
Applicants interested in purchasing an electric school bus (ESB) or hydrogen fuel cell electric bus can select from the below list of eligible school bus models and purchase through an eligible Dealer.
NYSBIP Eligible ESB List
[XLSX]
Charging Voucher
Charging Voucher Amounts
The base Charging Voucher amounts are intended to cover all or most of the cost of a low-voltage (e.g., Level 2) Charger, customer-side Make-Ready equipment, and installation costs. Charging Voucher amounts are determined by Priority District status, and whether the Purchaser has conducted a Fleet Electrification Plan. It is recommended that Purchasers of chargers complete a Fleet Electrification Plan to identify charging needs
before
applying to NYSBIP to ensure the fleet is purchasing and installing appropriate charger(s) for their needs and there is enough power for the chosen solution. Refer to the
NYSBIP Implementation Manual
[PDF]
for more information.
Base Voucher Amount
With Fleet Electrification Plan
Non-priority District
$25,000
$55,000
Priority District
$35,000
$65,000
Eligible Charging Costs
The following list contains charging infrastructure and installation costs eligible for reimbursement with the NYSBIP Charging Voucher:
Charger hardware costs
Charger Installation costs associated with Charger hardware costs including, but not limited to, trenching, concrete pads, repaving, and, basic site restoration.
Customer-Side “Make-Ready” Infrastructure costs, which covers electrical site upgrades on the customer’s side of the electrical meter. This includes, but is not limited to, upgrades to switchgears, electrical panel upgrades, wiring, and conduit.
Battery Storage Equipment that is connected to Charger
Components and responsibilities of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, highlighting which parts are eligible for make-ready incentives from the utility and customer, and which are not.
Show Battery Storage Equipment Information
Show Battery Storage Equipment Information
Hide Show Battery Storage Equipment Information
Hide Show Battery Storage Equipment Information
Utility-side Infrastructure
Utility Distribution Network
Utility Transformer
Customer may be required to pay for grid upgrades in excess of utility's design requirements
Customer-Side Infrastructure
Meter Pan & Wiring
Step Up Transformer
Panel
Conduit
Trenching
Concrete pads
Site restoration
Wiring
Customer Switchgear
Charging Station
EV Charger
Charging Station
Charging Station Installation
Network Installation
NYSBIP Eligible*
Customer-Side Infrastructure
Charging Station
Not-NYSBIP Eligible
Utility-side Infrastructure
Make-Ready Eligible– 90%
Utility-side Infrastructure
Make-Ready Eligible for DACS – 50%
Customer-Side Infrastructure
Not Make-Ready Eligible
Charging Station
*NYSBIP covers bondable items. Signs, bollards, network, maintenance, etc. are not eligible.
NYSBIP will
not
cover the following infrastructure costs:
Networking costs
Extended warranties
Permitting fees
Project management costs
Utility-Side “Make-Ready” Infrastructure costs
Solar PV
Program Documents
Program Implementation Manual (updated March 2026)
[PDF]
: All participants are encouraged to review the NYSBIP Implementation Manual, which details in full the program structure, eligibility requirements, and operational steps involved in the program.
Summary of IM Changes (March 2026)
[doc]
: A summary list of changes made to the newest version of the NYSBIP Implementation Manual.
School Bus Voucher Knowledgebase
: Dealers can review the steps required to complete a NYSBIP School Bus Voucher Application.
Charging Voucher Knowledgebase
: Purchasers can review the steps required to complete a NYSBIP Charging Voucher Application.
School Bus Voucher Documents
Documents for Manufacturers
ESB Eligibility Application
[XLSX]
: Manufacturers (OEMs or upfit/retrofit manufacturers) complete and submit this application form via email to
[email protected]
to request eligibility for vehicles they produce and that meet program requirements (see
Program Implementation Manual
[PDF]
).
NYSBIP Eligible ESB List
[XLSX]
: Purchasers review ESBs that are eligible to receive a School Bus Voucher and identify which Eligible Dealer sell those ESBs.
Documents for Dealers
Contractor Portal
: Dealers become an Eligible Dealer for NYSBIP by applying through this portal and submitting the OEM Letter of Consent and Dealer Participation Agreement.
NYSERDA Portal
: Dealers submit School Bus Voucher Applications through this portal.
OEM Letter of Consent
[PDF]
: Dealer provides documentation to demonstrate that they are an authorized third-party vendor of eligible school buses manufactured by an OEM or URM.
Dealer Participation Agreement
[PDF]
: Dealers agree to the requirements laid out in this document, which serves as a contract to indicating what rights the Dealer and NYSERDA have with respect to projects funded through NYSBIP.
Documents for Purchasers
Purchaser Participation Agreement
[PDF]
: Purchasers agree to the requirements of participation in NYSBIP for a School Bus Voucher. (due at application).
Third-Party Operator Addendum
[PDF]
: Addendum to be added to the contract between a Third-Party Operator and a School District that formalizes the agreement to use Bond Act funds to purchase electric buses and associated charging equipment to be used under the contract (due at application).
Fleet Certification
[PDF]
: School Districts and their Third-Party Operators (if applicable) certify the number of buses serving the School District (due at application).
Scrappage Attestation
[PDF]
: Vehicle Dismantler's and Purchaser’s certification that the requirements for scrapping an approved school bus were followed (due at redemption).
Vehicle Usage Report
[XLSX]
: This workbook contains information requested under the annual survey data collection for fleets participating in the New York State Bus Incentive Program.
Charging Voucher Documents
School Bus Charging Portal
: Purchasers can submit Charging Voucher Applications through this portal.
School Bus Charging Contractor Application
: Before applying for the program, users must submit a contractor application.
Charging Infrastructure Purchaser Agreement
[PDF]
: Purchasers agree to the requirements of participation in NYSBIP for a Charging Voucher.
Third-Party Operator Addendum
[PDF]
: Addendum to be added to the contract between a Third-Party Operator and a School District that formalizes the agreement to use Bond Act funds to purchase electric buses and associated charging equipment to be used under the contract.
Charging Infrastructure Installer Certification
[PDF]
: Purchasers and Installers certify that charging infrastructure was installed correctly and that the Installer has been paid for their work.
Site Host Agreement
[PDF]
: If the Purchaser does not own the property that they are installing charging infrastructure at, the Purchaser and site owner must certify that the Purchaser is allowed to install charging infrastructure on their property.
Additional Resources
NYSBIP Bus Projects OpenNY Dataset
: A current list of approved and closed out NYSBIP School Bus Voucher projects.
NYSBIP Calculator
: Use the calculator to determine how much NYSBIP funding you can receive and see how you can take advantage of stacking certain incentives.
EPRI Vetting Charger List
: Use this list created by EPRI to discover chargers that meet NYSBIP Charging Voucher requirements.
This list is not comprehensive.
NYSERDA Response to Public Comments on the Draft Eligibility Guidelines
[PDF]
Guiding the Transition to Zero-Emission Flyer
[PDF]
New York School Bus Incentive Program - School Bus Voucher Flyer
[PDF]
New York School Bus Incentive Program - Charger Voucher Flyer
[PDF]
Fleet Electrification Planning Fact Sheet
[PDF]
NYSERDA’s Electric School Bus email list
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Eligible Charger Costs