Electric Bikes and Buses get a Boost in Georgia

Clean air enthusiasts in Georgia had a reason to celebrate this week with the announcement of two programs aimed at introducing more clean, electric transportation to the state.

In the latest round of funding under the Clean School Bus Program by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), awardees were announced. The program focuses on replacing old and polluting diesel school buses in Georgia with clean, electric school buses. An analysis of the EPA’s announcement reveals that 334 clean, electric school buses will be allocated to school districts in Bibb Co., Clayton Co., Dekalb Co., Richmond Co., Glynn Co., and the City of Carrolton.

In 2022, the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program awarded 122 electric buses to schools across Georgia.

Funding for these clean and electric school buses is derived from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021. Although our network advocated for $5 billion for clean, electric school buses, Congress chose to leave half of the funding open to dirtier, non-electric buses. However, districts overwhelmingly prefer the cleanest electric models. In this round, more than 97% of buses to be purchased with the EPA grants will be electric.

Georgia could also see a boost in electric bicycles after the Atlanta City Council voted this week to allocate $1 million towards funding an electric bicycle rebate program. This initiative, set to launch this Spring, is a collaborative effort involving the Atlanta Regional Commission and other partners, and could give Atlantan participants up to $2,000 when they purchase an electric bike. 

This e-bike explainer from Environment America can help you learn more about this increasingly popular form of transportation.