Minnesota Celebrates Successful Deployments of Electric School Buses and Announces a New Founding Round

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature set aside $13 million for the establishment of an Electric School Bus Grant Program to support school districts with the purchase of electric school buses for both long-term cost savings and reduced air pollution, as well as a teaching tool that can be incorporated into the school's curriculum. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, this program has already funded 19 electric school buses in eight different school districts across rural, urban, and suburban areas of the state. For example, the Minnesota Electric School Bus Grant Program has enabled the Moorhead Area Public Schools, which serves over 7,000 students, to bring new clean school buses to their fleet. According to Transportation Director for Moorhead Area Public Schools, Sean Schneider, "Electric School buses are a win-win for our schools, students, and families. The buses will save the district about $150,000 every year in fuel and maintenance."

The Minnesota Department of Commerce released another round of funding for the Electric School Bus Grant Program on March 23, 2026. This round of funding can help districts purchase up to 3 electric school buses and the associated charging infrastructure. Applications are due June 18, 2026.

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