Maryland Commits $12M to Grow Electric School Bus Fleets

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) this month announced more than $12 million in grant funding to support the adoption of electric school buses and related infrastructure. The FY 2025 Electric School Bus Grant Program will benefit seven school districts and private transportation providers, bringing electric vehicles to new areas and accelerating the shift away from diesel fleets, according to a recent news release.

EXPANDING REACH, REDUCING EMISSIONS

Among the most notable developments is the arrival of electric buses in Kent County, marking the county’s first foray into zero-emission student transportation. The funding will also grow existing electric bus programs in Prince George’s, Frederick, Baltimore and Howard counties.

“This year’s grants include the purchase of vehicles, infrastructure installation, feasibility studies and technician training — each of which are important parts of the move toward cleaner transportation,” MEA Director Paul Pinsky said in a public statement. “The key takeaway is that this program will make improvements in school districts’ operating budgets and in the health of our schoolkids.”

In total, the grants will fund the acquisition of 53 electric buses and 40 charging stations, while also supporting long-term fleet transition planning and workforce training through three electric vehicle management plans.

SUPPORTING EQUITY AND OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY

The news release said MEA is focused on equity and long-term cost reduction, as projects target districts with significant numbers of low-income students, including those where over 60 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Recognizing that full-scale electrification will require more than just bus purchases, MEA’s news release said grants will also fund planning studies, infrastructure site readiness and technician training — components critical to sustainable deployment and maintenance.

FUNDING RECIPIENTS AND PROJECTS

The grant awardees for FY 2025 include:

• Baltimore County Public Schools (via Highland Electric Fleets Inc.): $3 million to expand its electric fleet.
• Chesapeake Charters (via Highland Electric Fleets Inc.): approximately $2.1 million to initiate its EV transition.
• Howard County Public Schools (via Zum Services Inc.): $1.75 million to support diverse transportation needs.
• Kent County Public Schools (via Highland Electric Fleets Inc.): about $850,000 to deploy the county’s first electric school buses.
• Frederick County Board of Education: $1.8 million to grow its fleet and collaborate with Potomac Edison.
• Prince George’s County Public Schools: around $2.5 million for buses and charging network expansion.
• Washington County Board of Education: $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study on EV bus deployment.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACT

MEA estimates the total greenhouse gas reduction associated with these projects at over 9,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents — comparable to removing more than 2,000 gas-powered passenger vehicles from the roads, potentially improving air quality around schools and communities, according to the news release.

For education officials, Maryland’s investment is an example of state leadership aligning clean-energy policy with equity and cost-saving strategies. The initiative combines forward-looking planning with immediate implementation, aiming to help districts of varying sizes and capabilities participate in the energy transition.

More information on the Maryland Energy Administration’s clean transportation efforts is available at energy.maryland.gov.

Editor's note: This story was developed in collaboration with GPT-4 and reviewed and edited by CDE Editorial staff.