The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) said it will provide $20 million in grants through two programs aimed at advancing electric transportation, including the replacement of diesel school buses and the installation of public charging stations.
The Electric School Bus Grant Program will allocate $10 million to school districts and bus service contractors to replace older diesel buses with electric models. According to NJDEP, overburdened school districts may receive up to $350,000 per bus and charging station, while other applicants are eligible for up to $320,000.
The remaining $10 million will go toward the EV Charging Grant Program, which funds charging stations near multi-unit housing and transit hubs. The program can award up to $100,000 per publicly accessible fast-charging port. To date, the state has supported the installation of 60 fast-charging ports and 1,705 Level 2 ports with $11 million in funding.
New Jersey has awarded more than $55 million to purchase 169 electric school buses to date, with the latest order placed in April 2025. Additional funding is planned for “eco-hub” projects that will pilot vehicle-to-building technology at select schools.
“By making this funding available, we further our commitment to lowering emissions and powering our public transportation with clean vehicles,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “These electric buses are long-term investments in the health and safety of New Jersey’s children. We are also dedicated to building out our charging infrastructure as more drivers go green.”
Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette added: “Through these grant programs, we are taking significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint, improve air quality, and promote the use of electric vehicles across New Jersey.”