Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Resources

• Technical Assistance Video Resources | Related Federal Funding Opportunities | Other Resources

Technical Assistance Video Resources

DOE offers electric school bus education via their series, “Flipping the Switch on Electric School Buses”, that covers everything from electric school bus basics to utility considerations, charging infrastructure, and more. 

Related Federal Funding Opportunities

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)'s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program 

This is a new competitive grant program created to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work – urban and rural areas alike – in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).

As detailed in the FHWA CFI Notice of Funding Opportunity, the community grants portion of the funding is intended to be used for publicly accessible charging “located on any public road or in other publicly accessible locations, such as parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity,”. See the FHWA announcement for details.

CSB 2022 Rebate Selectees and potential applicants to future CSB funding opportunities could consider the FHWA CFI grant opportunity to support charging infrastructure purchases and installations beyond those covered through CSB funding. Per Appendix C of the 2022 CSB Rebates Program Guide, federal funds may not be used for the same bus replacement project as CSB Rebate funds.

FHWA is currently accepting applications through Grants.gov until Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Other Resources

1. Electric School Buses

   1. Infrastructure Planning with Your Local Utility 

      1. NEVI U-Finder - a tool created by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to help school districts identify local utility partners supporting EVSE installation. 

      2. Power Planner - presents nine key steps school districts can follow or may want to consider when working with their local utility. 

      3. EVSE ownership arrangements - the Department of Transportation’s Rural EV Toolkit “Decide on Ownership Model” page discusses four EVSE ownerships options. 

      4. V2G pilot programs - provides an overview of 14 utility V2G ESB pilot programs and presents three considerations for future V2G projects.  

   2. Calculating Up-Front Installation and Operating Costs with Your Local Utility 

      1. General EVSE cost and ESB charging infrastructure installation cost - both resources provide an overview and cost estimates associated with installing EVSE.  

      2. Utility rate structure - review of utility rate structure and demand charges. 

      3. Lowering charging cost – the Department of Transportation’s Rural EV Toolkit “Assess EV Charging Needs” section provides suggestions for reducing EVSE cost through peak shaving. 

      4. Federal and State Incentives - a search tool for identifying current federal and state vehicle electrification incentives.  

   3. Selecting and Installing Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) 

      1. Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging equipment - comparison of Level 2 and DC Fast Charging equipment.  

      2. Selecting a charger - tutorial on how to determine your charging needs. 

      3. Charging Station Planning Form - a worksheet provided by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to use while working with local utility.  

      4. Networked chargers - discuss the use of charge management software as a way to optimize a fleet’s electricity consumption. 

      5. EPA ENERGY STAR certified EVSE - All Level 2 chargers purchased under the Clean School Bus Program must be Energy Star certified.  

   4. Finalizing Your Fleet Composition 

      1. ESB buyers guide - overview of the electric school bus market and available models.  

      2. ESB route analysis - an instructional video to assist school districts in determine which ESB meet their transportation needs.  

      3. Telematics - discussion on how telematics can assist school districts in tracking their ESB performance.  

2. Low-emissions Buses 

   1. Propane School Bus Case Study - DOE report outlining lesson learned from several propane school bus deployment.  

   2. CNG School Bus Case Study - DOE report describing how one school districts is making the switch to CNG school buses.