NREL Announces $5 Million Clean Bus Planning Awards Program

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has announced its $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) program, funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDOT). The program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for public transit and school fleets across the U.S. through FY24.

“The CBPA program meets fleets wherever they are in the planning process and helps make the overwhelming task of electrification feasible by providing plans that are tailored to the unique needs and requirements of each fleet,” said Abby Brown, NREL senior researcher and Joint Office technical assistance lead.

This program will help managers create step-by-step plans to transition to zero-emission buses and offer optional fleet deployment assistance that fills the gap between planning and implementation. Participating organizations will also be better prepared to apply for grants, such as those from FTA’s Low- or No-Emission program.

“CBPA leverages federal funding to tackle the most challenging aspects of a fleet’s electrification transition and provides direct support to those who need it most,” said Mike Jones, CBPA program lead.

Learn more about NREL’s sustainable transportation and mobility research and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.