Senate Bill 612 would require North Carolina local school administrative units to transition their school bus fleets to electric buses over time. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, any new school bus purchased would have to be electric, whether it is a replacement bus or an additional purchase. By the end of the 2049-2050 school year, all buses operated by local school systems would need to be electric.
The bill also creates an Electric Activity Bus Grant Program within the Department of Public Instruction to help eligible small-county school systems buy electric activity buses and related charging equipment. The program would be available only to local school administrative units that qualify for small county school system supplemental funding, and grant awards would prioritize applicants that have not previously received funding. Grants could cover up to 50% of the purchase price of an electric bus, and the department would have to report annually to legislative education oversight on applications, awards, and unmet demand.
Impact
The bill would amend G.S. 115C-249 and add a new section to Chapter 115C establishing a new grant program for electric activity buses. It would also appropriate $350 million in recurring General Fund money to the school bus replacement fund and $50 million in recurring General Fund money for the grant program, both beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027. In practical terms, the measure would shift state school transportation policy toward a mandatory electric fleet transition and create a dedicated funding stream for school bus electrification and charging infrastructure, with a special focus on small-county districts.
Sentiment
The bill’s framing suggests a strong pro-electrification and pro-investment posture, with the stated goal of modernizing the school bus fleet and supporting smaller counties that may face higher barriers to adoption. Because there were no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of debate, amendments, or partisan division in the available record. Based on the text alone, the bill appears designed to be ambitious and supportive of long-term environmental and transportation goals while also offering targeted financial assistance.
Contention
The main likely points of contention are the cost and feasibility of the mandate. Requiring all new school bus purchases to be electric starting in 2026-2027 and converting the entire fleet by 2050 could raise concerns about upfront capital costs, charging infrastructure, maintenance capacity, and whether districts—especially rural or small-county systems—can meet the timeline. Another possible issue is the recurring General Fund appropriation, which may draw scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about budget impacts, competing education priorities, or whether the state should mandate technology choices for local school systems. The bill’s small-county grant program appears intended to address equity concerns, but it may also prompt questions about whether the assistance is sufficient relative to the scale of the required transition.