Empowering Today's Transport: Electric Bus Grants and How Peach State Paves the Way

As our society continues to prioritize sustainability and environmental consciousness, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has gained significant momentum. With a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions and embracing cleaner transportation options, the electrification of school buses has emerged as a promising solution in Georgia due to funding from the Clean School Bus Program. The program provides $5 billion nationally over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. 

Free Electric School Buses Available for Georgia School Districts Through Peach State

In the first year of the program the EPA was soliciting rebate applications through the 2022 Clean School Bus Program Rebates. This program was “luck of the draw” and limited to 25 buses and chargers per application. However, with the new competitive grant program, school transportation departments can ask for funding by making a case for their school district by creating an application with the reasons why their school system should be funded and may now apply for up to 50 buses and chargers.

Thomas Built Buses® of Georgia, Peach State Truck Centers school bus division, is at the center of this effort by assisting over 180 school districts across Georgia to understand and apply for the Clean School Bus Program rebates and grants.

During the summer of 2023, Thomas Built Buses Jouley® electric school buses will started delivering in Georgia. Peach State Truck Centers is making a commitment and investing in delivering and servicing these new electric buses by installing a permanent charger for a Thomas Bus Jouley® at our Specialty Vehicles location in Forest Park, GA, enabling us to invest in charging electric buses both before delivery and after service. Peach State's mission is to walk with our customers along this exciting journey. For Peach State and our customers, leading and supporting the transition to electric school buses has four main benefits.

Enhancing Safety Efforts: Cleaner Air for School Children

Electric school buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Electric and alternatively fueled buses eliminate or reduce school bus exhaust, which is linked to asthma. Since buses idle 30 to 50% of the time, meaning they are sitting still with the engine running, electric buses mean no exhaust emissions when children are on board. This is also a preferred environment for drivers because it is quiet with no exhaust, this can help with driver recruitment and retention.

Electric vs Diesel: Cost Saving Benefits

Switching from diesel to electric school buses can allow school districts to save money in the long run despite higher initial costs, which will be avoided through Peach State's government grant program. They have lower fuel and maintenance expenses, qualify for tax incentives, and are more efficient.

Discover how much money your school can save with our Bus Calculator.

Supporting Cleaner Transportation:Cleaner Air for Communities

The transition to electric school buses not only benefits the environment but also improves the air quality in our communities. By investing in electric bus infrastructure, we are actively supporting cleaner transportation options. Electric buses run quietly, reducing noise pollution, and create a healthier environment for students, drivers, and pedestrians alike since they have no tailpipe emissions. Our commitment to cleaner transportation reflects our dedication to the well-being of our community.

Enhancing our Customer Service

Installing an electric school bus charger on location at our Specialty Vehicles store in Forest Park, Georgia, also contributes to a great customer experience. To support what we sell by having the ability to charge electric buses before delivery and after service, we streamline the process and ensure that the vehicles are always ready for use. This reduces downtime and enhances efficiency, enabling us to meet the demands of our customers promptly.

Investing in and installing electric school bus chargers on location at our Specialty Vehicles store in Forest Park, Georgia, is another way we can provide industry leading customer experience after the sale. The ability to support what we sell by charging electric buses both before delivery and after service, helps to ensure a more streamlined process and our customers' vehicles are always ready for their use. Reducing our customers' downtime creates efficiency and enables Thomas Built Bus of Georgia to meet the demands of a growing contingent of electric bus customers.