Electric Bus Program

Reminder: Eligibility is changing October 1, 2026. Please see the eligibility tab for details.

Overview

The Electric Bus Program provides 3CE customers with incentives for the purchase or lease of all-electric buses for schools, public transit agencies, and agricultural worker transport businesses. The Electric Bus Program is intended to reduce GHG emissions from buses, as well as eliminate harmful pollutants emitted by traditional diesel buses in close proximity to people.

Why Electrify?

Electric buses are more cost-effective to run and maintain than diesel

Buses powered by cleaner energy emit fewer harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases each year

Clean air is linked to proper cognitive functioning, better physical and academic performance, and increased school attendance. People riding an electric bus are happier, healthier and safer per the Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Steps to Electrify Your Ride

Step 1

Applicant identifies desired bus and identifies necessary matching funds to complete bus purchase or lease

Step 2

Applicant completes and submits online application through the 3CE website

Step 3

3CE approves application and verifies applicant and project eligibility

Step 4

3CE provides successful applicants with a notice of qualification, stating that 3CE is prepared to fund the stated rebate amount, should funding remain available in the given fiscal year. This notice of qualification does not serve as a reservation of rebate funds. 3CE will also fund electric buses as a post-purchase rebate, whereby applicants submit a rebate application after purchase and delivery of a bus has been completed

Step 5

Upon payment and delivery of the bus, applicant provides 3CE with proof of purchase. 3CE verifies documentation, then delivers rebate amount to customer via check

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must have at least one site located within the 3CE service area. The account associated with the location of the bus must be in “good standing.”

Measure Your Eligibility


  1. 1

    Individual public schools or public-school districts

  2. 2

    Businesses that provide Ag transport services

  3. 3

    Transit authorities

Eligible Vehicle Types

  • School bus types A, B, C, and D

  • Shuttle buses

  • Transit buses

  • Motor coaches

  • Other vehicle types, at 3CE’s discretion

Eligible Vehicle Types

Project Eligibility

Each fiscal year (which runs Oct. 1 – Sept. 30), applicants are eligible for up to five e-buses per customer.

Applications for purchases made between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026 must be submitted by September 30, 2026.

Applications for purchases between August 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 can be submitted either:

  • By September 30, 2026 for the program design and under the terms and conditions relevant at the time of application submission.

  • Or between October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027 for the program design and under the terms and conditions that are relevant at the time of application submission.

Applications are processed in the order they are received and are subject to available funding. 3CE reserves the right to change program design, including eligibility and rebates, at any time. Please read the program Terms and Conditions for full details.

Program design is expected to change on October 1, 2026. 3CE will provide more information on the website in late September 2026.

Project Eligibility

Requirements for all projects

  • The location where the bus will be charged must be actively enrolled in 3CE service at the time the bus is ready to be delivered

  • The selected bus must be fully electric (hybrid or hydrogen buses will not be accepted)

  • Vehicle or charging equipment must be network/Wi-Fi enabled, such that the bus may participate in future 3CE Programs offering participation in charge, discharge, and related activities

  • Bus make and model must be identified prior to submittal of the application

  • Application must be received prior to the purchase/order or lease of the electric bus

  • Applicant must retain ownership or possession and operate the electric bus as described above for a minimum of 60 consecutive months immediately after purchase or lease

Rebates

Customers may receive a rebate for up to five E-buses per fiscal year. Customers may apply for a combination of small and large E-buses, up to five E-buses.

Rebates effective January 1, 2026:

Electric Bus Rebates

New vehicle rebate amounts by vehicle type and income tier
Bus Type Small Number of Buses Incentive Amount Maximum $ Value
School Bus Type A and B, Shuttle Bus and Other 1 50% of measure cost $150,000
School Bus Type A and B, Shuttle Bus and Other 2 $25k Flat Rebate $175,000
School Bus Type A and B, Shuttle Bus and Other 3 $25k Flat Rebate $200,000
School Bus Type A and B, Shuttle Bus and Other 4 $25k Flat Rebate $225,000
School Bus Type A and B, Shuttle Bus and Other 5 $25k Flat Rebate $250,000

Electric Bus Rebates

New vehicle rebate amounts by vehicle type and income tier
Bus Type Large Number of Buses Incentive Amount Maximum $ Values
School Bus Type C and D, Motor Coach, Transit Bus 1 50% of measure cost $150,000
School Bus Type C and D, Motor Coach, Transit Bus 2 $50k Flat Rebate $200,000
School Bus Type C and D, Motor Coach, Transit Bus 3 $50k Flat Rebate $250,000
School Bus Type C and D, Motor Coach, Transit Bus 4 $50k Flat Rebate $300,000
School Bus Type C and D, Motor Coach, Transit Bus 5 $50k Flat Rebate $350,000

Voices From
Your Community

“Organizations like 3CE are really those one-of-kind solutions. We have enough incentives throughout the program where everybody can benefit right away. It actually ensures that we have local control and local direction of where our investments are made, and that means the programs are designed for the people.”

Em Johnson

Community Organizer

“Doing the ag electrification with Central Coast Community Energy just makes sense for us. Seeing a program that was going to be able to help us move toward a more sustainable operation, plus having that cost share – it just seemed like a no-brainer to me.”

Jynel Gularte

5th generation family farmer

“ It’s a big step for small farming. Typically fuel coasts and then maintenance on the tractor is very costly. This is just plug in and charge and then go.”

Albert Fraide

Farming Advisor at ALBA

Resources

Document Checklist

EV Purchase or Lease

  • Car registration (temporary is acceptable)

  • A full copy of the sales/lease agreement

  • Valid driver’s license

  • For Income Qualifying Residents not enrolled in CARE/FERA – a redacted copy of the applicant’s most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040)

  • the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to an address enrolled in 3CE service

EV Purchase or Lease

Level 2 Charger and Installation

  • Proof of charger purchase (e.g., receipt, invoice)

  • For Income Qualifying Residents not enrolled in CARE/FERA, a redacted copy of the applicant’s most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040)

  • Invoice for installation including itemization of all time and/or material costs associated with the installation

  • Contractor license number

  • If applicable, documentation (e.g. building permit card) indicating final approval has been issued in accordance with the local building permit process, as required by California Building Standards Code and local ordinance

Level 2 Charger and Installation

Bidirectional Chargers

In addition to the requirements listed under “Level 2 Charger and Installation”, bidirectional chargers must provide:

  • Proof of interconnection with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) or SoCal Edison (SCE)- Permission to Operate (PTO) letter

Bidirectional Chargers

EBus Flyer 1.13.26

View PDF
EBus Flyer 1.13.26

  • California HVIP

    Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project
    Point-of-sale discounts to power California communities and drive commercial technology transformation.

  • EPA

    EPA Clean School Bus Program
    With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion from 2022 to 2026 to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models.

  • EngergIIZE Project

    EngergIIZE Project
    The EnergIIZE (Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission) Commercial Vehicles Project is working to improve community health by reducing air pollution from harmful diesel emissions, while helping commercial fleets and industry partners meet California’s climate goals. Funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and developed in close coordination with equity partners, project funding will provide the infrastructure needed to support the transition of old, polluting medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) equipment to zero-emission battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

  • Funding Finder Tool

    Funding Finder Tool
    CALSTART’s Funding Finder Tool is designed to help stakeholders search and filter for Medium-and-Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicle and infrastructure programs in the state of California. Start by filtering results by ZIP Code then filter based on the other criteria you desire.

  • Alternative Fuels Data Center

    Alternative Fuels Data Center
    The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center provides a database of incentives, laws, and regulations related to alternative fuels and advanced vehicles for the state of California, including grants, rebates, tax exemptions, and vehicle replacement programs.

  • PG&E EV Fleet Program

    PG&E EV Fleet Program
    PG&E’s EV Fleet program helps fleets easily and cost-effectively install charging infrastructure so they can save money, eliminate tailpipe emissions and simplify maintenance.

  • SCE Charge Ready

    SCE Charge Ready Transport Program
    SCE’s Charge Ready Transport Program gives your business the opportunity to install the infrastructure to support a fleet of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles at low or no cost to you.

  • 2023 Clean Air Grants

    Santa Barbara County 2023 Clean Air Grants Program
    The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is providing grant funds to benefit public health by cost-effectively replacing old, high-polluting equipment with newer, cleaner equipment earlier than required by regulation or through normal attrition.

  • SLO County Clean Air Incentives

    SLO County Clean Air Incentives
    The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District has operated its Grant Program since 1997. In that time, it has infused over $33.2 million dollars into the local economy to help businesses modernize their equipment and comply early with State emission regulations. These dollars have funded the reduction of over 3,284 tons of smog forming pollutants.

What to Expect

Thank you for your interest in 3CE’s E-Bus program. Please read the following instructions before completing the application.

  1. To apply, you must be a customer of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE). If you are not sure if you receive Central Coast Community Energy’s services, please call 1-877-455-2223 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday to speak with a Local Customer Service Representative.

  2. Before applying, please check the Application Checklist to get all of the required information ready.

  3. You must fill in all fields that are marked with an “*”. Please complete the application as well as you can. If you provide incorrect or incomplete information and/or documentation it may take longer to process your application.

  4. If you have questions or need help, please check the Frequently Asked Questions on 3cenergy.org. For more help, please contact customer service at 1-877-455-2223 or email NorthSupport@3ce.org (for customers in the PG&E service area) or SouthSupport@3ce.org (for customers in the SCE service area).

Please note: You cannot save and return to this application once you begin. If you leave this application before it is complete, you will have to start over.