Central Coast Community Energy Launches Electric Bus Rebates
March 7, 2023
$1.4 million reserved for schools and farmworker businesses; all-electric buses reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide healthier transportation alternatives to children and communities
MONTEREY, Calif., March 7, 2023 – Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) announced today the launch of its Electric Bus Program, providing 3CE customers with rebates for the purchase or lease of all-electric school and agricultural farmworker transport buses.
3CE’s Electric Bus Program will contribute up to $200,000 per school bus and up to $150,000 per agricultural transport bus to support the drive toward a cleaner future by replacing diesel, a known carcinogen, with clean-running electric power.
“For the first time, 3CE is offering rebates to electrify buses in the agricultural sector,” said Jon Griesser, 3CE’s Energy Programs Director. “California’s Central Coast is a major agricultural producer and exporter in the country, and electrifying buses that drive to and from farms every day is another way 3CE is helping the ag industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions for years to come.”
In addition to providing rebates for buses, 3CE offers rebates for chargers and charging infrastructure. Schools and Ag transport businesses can apply for 3CE Electrify Your Ride Commercial Program rebates and receive up to $3,000 for chargers and up to $5,000 for charging infrastructure, including materials and labor costs.
Transportation is the most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions along the Central Coast. Heavy-duty vehicles are the most significant contributor of nitrogen oxides—air pollution that is known to cause asthma, heart and lung disease, and other serious respiratory issues. Electric buses have no tailpipe exhaust, thereby eliminating air pollution that can harm people’s health.
Since 2019, 3CE has helped fund 20 electric school buses for schools in its service area. Last year, 3CE granted $1 million in rebates for school buses and signed a letter of intent with five local school districts to fund the purchase of nine new electric school buses, including five buses for the Salinas City Elementary School District. Other schools included Los Olivos School District, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, and San Benito High School. Bonny Doon Union Elementary School was the first 3CE customer to take advantage of the Electric Bus Program in 2019.
“We are so proud to have an electric bus,” said Mike Heffner, Superintendent and Principal of Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District. “Our electric bus demonstrates one of our district’s core values in environmental stewardship.”
Applicants in the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties may benefit from additional funding from the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control Districts. Applicants in the Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties may benefit from additional funding from Monterey Bay Air Resources District incentives. These incentives, combined with 3CE funding may cover close to 100% of electric bus purchases in those counties.
About Central Coast Community Energy
Central Coast Community Energy is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. 3CE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. Revenue generated by 3CE stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. 3CE serves 444,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more at 3CEnergy.org and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For more information:
Central Coast Community Energy
Lena Wallace
Communications Specialist
831-641-7206
lwallace@3ce.org
