Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Biodiesel Fuel Use Incentive for Schools

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) may provide school districts financial aid to cover the incremental cost of purchasing biodiesel to operate school buses, as compared to the cost of petroleum diesel fuel. If in any fiscal year insufficient funds are available to provide school districts with the full amount of reimbursement for which a school district qualifies, DPI will prorate the available funds among the entitled school districts on a per pupil basis. For more information, see the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation Funding website.

(Reference Wisconsin Statutes 121.575)

Heavy-Duty Transit Bus Grants

The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) offers grants for the replacement of eligible public transit buses. Funding is available for the replacement and scrapping of model year 1992-2009 heavy-duty public transit buses with new replacement diesel or alternative fueled buses. The program is funded by Wisconsin’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including how to apply, see the DOA VW Mitigation Program website.

Clean Diesel Grant Program

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in Wisconsin. Funding for 25% to 100% of eligible projects costs is available to businesses, nonprofits, and public entities that reduce diesel emissions by replacing engines, retrofitting exhaust controls, purchasing new vehicles, or installing idle reduction equipment. Eligible projects include school buses, transit buses, and non-road engines, equipment, or vehicles. For more information, including funding amounts and application details, see the DNR Clean Diesel Grant Program website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV Charging Station Grant Program

RENEW Wisconsin’s EVs for Good initiative offers grants to nonprofit organizations interested in purchasing an EV and $500 for installing Level 2 or higher EV charging station. For more information, including program details and how to apply, visit the RENEW Wisconsin EVs for Good Rebates website.

Wisconsin Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Programs

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) offers grant opportunities and programs to support the development of renewable energy and energy storage technology. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, comprehensive energy planning for fleets and electric vehicles. For more information, see the OEI Energy Innovation Grant Program website.

Wisconsin's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office by August 1, 2022, describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. Plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about Wisconsin’s NEVI planning process, see the WisDOT Electrification of Wisconsin website. For more information about Wisconsin’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office’s State Plans for EV Charging website.