Taxpayers are set to shake up the struggling electric bus industry after Gov. JB Pritzker announced a nearly $20 million purchase of 70 zero-emission buses in nine Illinois school districts. [emphasis, links added]
On Thursday, Pritzker's office announced Illinois State Board of Education receives $19.9 million in grant from Clean Heavy Vehicle Grant Program Funded by federal taxes as part of President Joe Biden's inflation-cutting bill.
Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C will be equipped with 32 school buses and charging infrastructure.
Joliet Township High School District 204 and Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 will each have 10 school buses and charging infrastructure.
Six other regions will also receive at least one bus and charging infrastructure.
Each bus costs approximately $284,000. [A typical diesel school bus costs roughly $200,000]
“[T]These districts will receive electric school buses, charging infrastructure and workforce training to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality.
The grant also funds two full-time ISBE employees to support implementation of the program and work with districts on other “green energy” initiatives.
Ahead of Thursday's announcement, Pritzker commented on the performance of electric bus maker Lion Electric, which expects to receive state tax credits for operating a factory in Joliet.
“If they meet the goals they set with usand an agreement was reached to hire a certain number of people and perform a certain amount of investment, And then they get the benefit of those tax credits,Pritzker said last week at an unrelated event.
“But if they don't do that, then they haven't fulfilled their part of the agreement and the country doesn't owe them anything. But look, I'm very disappointed with their progress.
Pritzker blamed President-elect Trump for the downturn in the electric vehicle market.
“Electric vehicle companies are under tremendous pressure [due to] Donald Trump's rhetoric and promises are designed to derail the electric vehicle…industry,” Pritzker said.
It is unclear whether Lion Electric will become a supplier of such buses as part of the $19.9 million program. The Illinois State Board of Elections said each district will purchase buses according to its own local procurement rules.
Popular photo on Unsplash by Frank van Hulst
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