Washington Schools Score $50M+ Federal Grant for 100 EV Buses

Washington school districts will deploy 100 zero-emission electric buses funded by more than $50 million from the federal Clean School Bus Program, focusing on urban areas to curb emissions and boost air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's grants, part of broader Inflation Reduction Act initiatives, prioritize districts serving low-income and overburdened communities. This builds on existing momentum, with 86 electric buses already operating across 40 districts as of late 2024, set to exceed 200 by 2026 through combined state and federal awards totaling $35.4 million from the Washington Department of Ecology alone.

Lake Washington School District in Redmond led early adoption, securing $500,000 in January 2024 for its first two electric buses, followed by funding for two more from state sources including the Department of Commerce and Ecology. These buses, equipped with charging infrastructure, began routes in the 2025-26 school year, exclusively serving Title 1 schools with high needs students. Meanwhile, VL Transport for Loon Lake and Valley districts added two electric buses with Avista support, highlighting rural uptake.

The Washington Department of Ecology prioritizes grants for districts with older fleets, Tribal lands, and pollution-burdened areas, offering up to $50,000 per bus and stacking with federal funds to cover full costs. Recent state awards include $31.5 million from the Climate Commitment Act and $3.9 million EPA pass-through, plus $825,000 for vocational training to prepare mechanics and students for EV maintenance. A new $15 million Zero Emission School Bus Grant opened February 12 to April 23, 2026, for K-12 fleets overseen by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.