School Bus: Advisory Services Program RFP Grant

The School Bus Advisory Services Program, offered by MassCEC, provides free advisory services to public school districts in Massachusetts to help them overcome barriers to electrifying their bus fleets. The program addresses issues such as upfront costs, technical knowledge gaps, and resource constraints. By offering support in fleet electrification planning, feasibility designs, and funding opportunities, the initiative aims to facilitate a smoother transition to electric school buses, ensuring a sustainable future for transportation in education.

Note: This program does not provide funding to buy electric school buses; rather it provides advisory services at no charge to school districts.
The Challenge: Reduce Barriers to Electrifying School Buses
Despite the long-term savings and health benefits of going electric, school districts face barriers to electrifying their school bus fleets, including:
Additional upfront costs to purchase buses and associated charging infrastructureCoordination with third-party transportation providers for school districts that prefer to leaseGaps in technical knowledge necessary to transition from diesel to electric bus operationResource and budget constraints
About School Bus Advisory Services Program
Through the School Bus Advisory Services Program, MassCEC provides free fleet electrification planning support to public school districts across Massachusetts. MassCEC is working with a consultant team to address the gap in technical knowledge impeding school bus fleets from electrifying. The consultants will provide public school districts and third-party school bus fleet operators technical services such as:
vehicle and charging infrastructure analysisfeasibility designs financial models preparing for and applying for future funding opportunitiesvehicle and charging station procurement plans educational materials
The goal of the program is to provide school districts with a clear path to school bus electrification.
Advisory Services is currently open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include public school districts in Massachusetts. School districts that work with third-party fleet operators are also encouraged to apply.