Maryland LCV applauds the Maryland Energy Administration’s announcement of more than $12 million in grants in 2025 through the Electric School Bus Grant Program. This investment will bring 53 new electric school buses to seven school districts across the state, including the first zero-emission buses to Kent County and expanded fleets in Prince George’s, Frederick, Baltimore, and Howard counties. The funding also supports critical infrastructure with 40 new EV chargers and comprehensive planning through feasibility studies and workforce development programs.

This investment is specifically valuable to Maryland’s children and communities, particularly those that have historically borne the burden of transportation pollution. Electric school buses significantly reduce children’s exposure to harmful diesel emissions as they travel to school, directly protecting the health of some of Maryland’s most vulnerable residents. Along with children riding in school buses, people living in communities along bus routes will also benefit. Diesel emissions contribute to respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and asthma exacerbations, and are conditions that disproportionately impact children and communities of color. With over 500,000 Marylanders living with asthma and 330,000 with COPD, reducing diesel pollution from school transportation is critical for public health. The projected lifetime greenhouse gas reduction of more than 9,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents from these grants is equivalent to removing over 2,000 passenger cars from Maryland roads.

“We are glad to see Governor Moore and MEA are prioritizing this funding which is both a smart climate investment and a firm commitment to environmental justice and public health efforts,” said Kim Coble, Executive Director of Maryland LCV.” Electric school buses help protect the health of children who ride them every day, while simultaneously helping communities that have historically been underserved in pollution reduction efforts. Maryland is showing that we can improve the lives of families across our state through our conservation efforts.”

Maryland’s electric school bus program is important to meeting the state’s commitment to clean transportation and environmental justice. The initiative supports Maryland’s goal of achieving a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2031 while delivering immediate health benefits to school children across rural and urban communities alike.