Deadline: Opens Nov 3rd, rolling until funds are exhausted. 

Amount Available: Incentives of up to $375,000 per zero-emission school bus, depending on bus type and wheelchair accessibility, plus charging infrastructure incentives of up to $95,000 for the first bidirectional fast charger and up to $75,000 for additional qualifying chargers.

Match Requirement: No matching requirement specified in the published program information.

Eligible Applicants: California public school districts, public charter schools, joint powers authorities (JPAs), and county offices of education (COEs) serving K–12 students.

Link: https://californiazesbi.org/

The Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) Incentive Project is reopening its second solicitation on November 3, 2026, providing California's local educational agencies with financial incentives to replace older school buses with new zero-emission vehicles and install supporting charging infrastructure.

Administered through the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission (CEC), the program offers substantial incentives for qualifying school bus purchases. Maximum vehicle incentives include $280,000 for Type A buses, $340,000 for Type C buses, and $360,000 for Type D buses.

Additional incentives are available for buses equipped with wheelchair lifts, bringing the maximum award to $375,000. Charging infrastructure incentives are also available, with awards of up to $20,000 for Level 2 chargers and $75,000 for direct current fast chargers. The first bidirectional fast charger may qualify for up to $95,000.

To qualify, applicants must own the school buses being replaced and serve students in grades K–12. Each new zero-emission school bus awarded requires the scrappage of an existing internal combustion school bus. The replacement bus must be a 2010 model year or older, have a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds, and possess a current California Highway Patrol safety certification (CHP 292 or equivalent) at the time of application.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their documentation in advance, including a signed Letter of Intent, current DMV registration, and CHP safety certification for each existing bus included in the application. Priority is given to qualifying small and rural school districts, agencies serving high percentages of unduplicated pupils, and agencies serving disadvantaged or low-income communities.