Bill > S612

This bill mandates the gradual transition of North Carolina's school bus fleet to electric vehicles, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Starting that year, all new school bus purchases must be electric, and by the end of the 2049-2050 school year, local school administrative units must ensure their entire bus fleet is electric. The bill also establishes an Electric Activity Bus Grant Program specifically designed to help small counties (those eligible for small county school system supplemental funding) purchase electric activity buses. Under this program, the Department of Public Instruction can award grants covering up to 50% of an electric bus's purchase price, with priority given to school administrative units that have not previously received a grant. To support this transition, the bill appropriates $350 million for school bus replacements and an additional $50 million for the grant program in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The Department of Public Instruction is required to submit an annual report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee detailing grant recipients, total applications, and unfunded application costs. The bill becomes effective immediately and applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S612