WASHINGTON (October 9, 2026) — Members of the U.S. House of Representatives today introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the $5 billion Clean School Bus Program (CSBP) through 2031, aiming to support student health while helping school districts save as diesel prices soar.

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) cosponsored the Clean School Bus Reauthorization Act. To date, the CSBP has awarded nearly $3 billion to replace more than 8,500 school buses, reaching nearly every U.S. state. More than 5,200 electric school buses funded through the program have already been delivered to schools.

Under the CSBP, 91% of the buses school districts applied for were electric. Demand remains strong, with more than 1,800 applicants waitlisted for program funds. Because electric school buses cost less to operate than diesel buses but have higher upfront purchase prices, federal funding can help school districts cut costs and pollution over the long term.

Following is a statement from Sue Gander, Director of WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative:

“Kids’ health is not a partisan issue. As this bill shows, there’s real enthusiasm on both sides of the aisle to give children the clean ride to school they deserve. This bipartisan support is no surprise, as 51% of school districts with electric school buses on the road or coming soon are in Congressional districts represented by Republicans.

“The Clean School Bus Program has been a gamechanger, answering school districts’ call to replace aging diesel buses with clean, zero-emissions vehicles in rural, suburban and urban communities alike. Replacing diesel buses with electric buses protects children from the dangers of diesel exhaust pollution, which disproportionately impacts low-income and Black communities.

“Electric school buses have proven popular with districts that use them, and particularly with the drivers behind the wheel. Reflecting this enthusiasm, the number of electric school buses on the road today is 12 times higher than it was just five years ago. With diesel prices at record highs, Congress has a chance to help school districts save big on fuel costs and improve children’s health at the same time.”

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