Clean Air Grants for Buses

The 2023 Clean Air Grants Program has closed. Please contact [email protected] to be added to the email notification list to stay updated about future grant programs. 

2023 Clean Air Grants for School Buses

Si requiere asistencia para someter una solicitud en español, comuníquese con el Distrito al [email protected]

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) has grant funds for school bus fleet expansions with zero-emission or near-zero-emission buses. Successful projects will be eligible to receive a grant within a range from $10,000 to $250,000.

  • Priority will be given to zero-emission or near-zero emission technology projects, along with projects located within low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined by this map: https://webmaps.arb.ca.gov/PriorityPopulations/
  • The District has final discretion on how grant funds are distributed.

Project Requirements:

  • Applications are limited to one grant project per public school district with final determination at the District’s discretion.
  • The zero-emission or near-zero-emission school bus must be new. 
  • A near-zero-emission school bus must have a CARB certified engine that meets the emission levels of 0.02 g/bhp NOx and 0.01 g/bhp PM or less.
  • The engine in the new school bus must be CARB certified for sale in California and must comply with durability and warranty requirements.
  • At least 51% of the total annual usage must occur in Santa Barbara County. 
  • Fleet must be compliant with all local, state, and federal air quality regulations and must not have any unresolved Notices of Violation.
  • School buses must meet the requirements of CARB’s Lower Emission School Bus Program.

How to Apply:

1. Determine your project’s eligibility for this programPlease see CARB’s 2017 Carl Moyer Guidelines, Chapter 4 and CARB’s 2008-2020 Lower Emission School Bus Guidelines for full details
2. Gather the required information about your new vehicle and engine. 
3. Apply for grant funds in person, by mail, or email.

Please see application on the right for more information.

Application

Program opened Monday, July 24, 2023.
Program closed Friday, September 1, 2023.


Questions?

Contact us via email at [email protected].


This program is part of our 2023 Clean Air Grants Program funded by California Air Resources Board’s Carl Moyer Program, Community Air Protection Program, and Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions Program (FARMER). For more information, see 2023 Clean Air Grants.

Additional Funding Sources and Information for Cleaner On-Road Vehicles

Funding  for hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses, as well as low-NOx natural gas engines, is available through California’s Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program.

Additional funding and regulatory resources for heavy-duty truck operators can be found on the California Air Resources Board Truck Stop page.