New Jersey DEP Announces Nearly $32M in Grants Awarded for Zero-Emission School Buses

On January 8, 2026, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the award of nearly $32 million in grants to support the state’s transition to zero-emission school buses and expand access to public electric vehicle charging in communities across New Jersey.

More than $18 million has been awarded through the second round of the Electric School Bus Grant Program to fund the purchase of 53 electric school buses and 41 fast chargers. In addition, $13.6 million has been awarded through the DEP’s EV Charging Grant Program for 26 public and private projects that will install publicly accessible charging stations near town centers, retail areas, multi-unit housing, and transit hubs statewide.

Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette emphasized that transportation is New Jersey’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. He stated that replacing diesel school buses with electric buses and expanding charging infrastructure are key strategies to reduce emissions and improve air quality for students and communities.

The Electric School Bus Grant Program, authorized by 2022 legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy, provides up to $45 million over three years to replace diesel buses and install associated charging equipment. Funding is provided through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Fund. Grant recipients will also receive technical assistance through New Jersey Fleet Advisor, including customized fleet electrification roadmaps, vehicle recommendations, cost analyses, and infrastructure assessments.

Awards are distributed across northern, central, and southern New Jersey, including 11 overburdened communities. Nine grants go directly to school districts, while five go to school bus contractors serving New Jersey students.

Second-Round Electric School Bus Grant Recipients by County

Bergen County
• South Hackensack School District – up to $600,000 for two buses

Camden County
• Camden City School District – up to $2.04 million for six buses and three fast chargers

Essex County
• East Orange School District – up to $1.71 million for five buses and three fast chargers

Mercer County
• West Windsor–Plainsboro Regional School District – up to $2.1 million for six buses and six fast chargers through Highland Electric Fleets

Middlesex County
• Plainfield Public Schools – up to $2.1 million for six buses and six fast chargers

Monmouth County
• Middletown Township School District – up to $640,000 for two buses and two fast chargers through Highland Electric Fleets
• Shore Regional High School District – up to $1.28 million for four buses and four fast chargers through Highland Electric Fleets

Passaic County
• Milkyway Education Center Inc./Pioneer Academy – up to $640,000 for two buses and two Level 2 chargers
• Passaic County Technical Vocational Schools – up to $680,000 for two buses and one fast charger

Somerset County
• Bernards Township Board of Education – up to $604,000 for two buses and one Level 2 charger
• Franklin Township School District – up to $2 million for six buses and six Level 2 chargers through Mercy Transportation Inc.
• Montgomery Township School District – up to $2.04 million for six buses and three fast chargers

Union County
• Summit Board of Education – up to $700,000 for two buses and two fast chargers
• Union School District – up to $700,000 for two buses and two fast chargers through Mosdos Pupa Linden

Environmental organizations noted the health benefits for overburdened school districts, pointing to reductions in diesel pollution that contributes to childhood asthma.

During National Drive Electric Week 2024, DEP awarded the program’s first $15 million round to support purchase of 48 electric school buses statewide, marking the state’s first comprehensive funding commitment for zero-emission school transportation.

EV Charging Grant Program

The DEP’s EV Charging Grant Program is part of the It Pay$ to Plug In initiative. Through this program, DEP is providing $13.6 million to install 82 charging stations with 136 fast-charging ports in 16 counties. Grants of $400,000 or $600,000 are awarded depending on port counts. Funding comes from RGGI auction proceeds and the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.

Private entity awardees include:

Chargeflex LLC (3)
DVM Industries (5)
EV Edison (4)
Universal Electric Vehicle LLC (3)
BE Controls Inc.
Blink Network LLC
EV-Zoom Inc.
Gill Petroleum Inc.
Retrofit Install Inc.
Richard E. Ritchie Enterprises Inc.
Xura Eatontown Energy Corporation

Local government awardees include:

City of Passaic
City of Sea Isle City
Township of Ewing
Mercer County

These investments expand New Jersey’s existing network of more than 1,900 fast-charging ports and 3,100 Level 2 ports. Since inception, It Pay$ to Plug In has awarded $19 million for 60 fast-charging stations and 1,705 Level 2 stations statewide.

New Jersey Zero-Emission Vehicle Roadmap

On December 17, 2025, the forward-thinking and smart Governor Phil Murphy released the New Jersey Zero-Emission Vehicle Roadmap report outlining progress, challenges, and strategies for accelerating ZEV adoption. The report identifies needs including continued incentives, charging reliability, grid upgrades, equitable investment, workforce development, and reducing vehicle miles traveled.

The roadmap supports continued state investment in electrification to protect public health and reduce climate-warming emissions by expanding access to EV incentives and charging infrastructure.

EVinfo.net’s Take: EV School Bus Support is Vital, New Jersey’s Great New Governor, Mikey Sherrill

EVinfo.net commends New Jersey for its support of EV school buses. Supporting electric school buses is important because it directly improves student health, community air quality, and long-term operating costs for school districts. Diesel school buses expose children to exhaust that contains particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, which are linked to asthma and respiratory illness; electric buses eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce that exposure. They also cut noise pollution around schools and neighborhoods, creating safer, quieter streetscapes.

From a financial standpoint, electric buses have lower fuel and maintenance costs over their lifecycle, helping districts redirect savings to classrooms and services. In addition, transitioning school fleets to electric vehicles reduces greenhouse-gas emissions, helping cities and states meet climate goals while familiarizing the next generation with clean technology. Investing in electric school buses therefore produces compounding benefits in health, economics, and environmental stewardship.

Mikie Sherrill is an American politician, military veteran, and attorney who has served in elected office representing northern New Jersey. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, she spent nearly a decade on active duty as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, flying missions in Europe and the Middle East and serving in roles including Flag Aide and policy officer.

After leaving the Navy, she earned a law degree and worked as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey, focusing on community outreach, re-entry programs, and criminal cases before entering electoral politics. Sherrill was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, becoming part of a moderate Democratic cohort and serving on committees such as Armed Services and strategic competition.

In 2025 she successfully ran for governor of New Jersey, winning the general election and becoming the state’s 57th governor. Throughout her career, she has emphasized bipartisan problem-solving, national security, infrastructure investment, and support for families and veterans. Her work reflects a blend of public service experiences across military, legal, and legislative arenas. Sherrill has shown great support for clean energy and EVs. Gov. Elect Sherrill outlined 4 “State of Emergency” actions to lower utility costs on January 6, 2026.

We need more great leaders like Murphy and Sherrill now more than ever. Vote accordingly.