Zero Emission School Bus Acquisition and Working Group

Beginning in 2035, 75% of school bus acquisitions must be zero emission school buses. The Office of Policy Innovation and the Future will convene a working group to:

• Review different types of zero emission school buses and the benefits and challenges associated with each technology;
• Analyze financing options for the acquisition of zero emission school buses;
• Engage electric utilities and other private entities that are interested in partnering with school administrators to acquire zero emission school buses;
• Plan for the deployment of charging infrastructure to support zero emission school buses; and,
• Assess training and education options for zero emission school bus use and maintenance.

In January 2023, the working group published a report of their findings.

The Maine Board of Education may obtain loans or enter into a lease-purchase agreement to acquire zero emission school buses. The term of the loan or lease purchase may be up to 15 years.

(Reference Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A, Section 5401 and Section 10104 )