Princeton School District Gets State Funds To Buy 2 Electric Buses

PRINCETON, NJ — New Jersey has granted funds to Princeton Public Schools funds to buy new electric buses.

The announcement was made by Gov. Phil Murphy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette in celebration of National Drive Electric Week, which runs through Oct. 6.

The district has been awarded up to $620,000 for two school buses, one level two charging station and one fast charging station, officials said.

In total, NJ will be giving school districts $15 million in grants in the first-round award to purchase 48 electric school buses.

“It is our responsibility as elected officials to ensure that the vehicles carrying our children to school do not adversely affect their health outcomes as they grow. That’s why my Administration has dedicated $30 million to date to ensuring that those vehicles are powered by clean energy,” Murphy said.

“These grants are a testament to my Administration’s continued commitment to environmental justice, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle electrification, and the protection of families from harmful pollution.” Commissioner LaTourette said that children whose lungs are still developing, are most vulnerable to the harmful health effects of poor air quality.

“It is critical that our school buses be equipped with the latest technology to protect them. The DEP congratulates grant recipients for their commitment to the health of our children and looks forward to helping school districts and fleet operators as we work together to grow the use of electric school buses and trucks,” LaTourette said. The Administration’s Electric School Bus Grant Program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and is funded through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Fund.

It was authorized by legislation Governor Phil Murphy signed in 2022 to provide up to $45 million in funding over three years to replace diesel school buses with battery-electric school buses. The program also funds the installation of charging infrastructure.

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