Legislation in New Jersey provides $45 million for electric school buses

New Jersey has stepped up efforts to transition from diesel school buses to electric vehicles. 

Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation that allocates about $45 million over three years to acquire zero-emission buses and award them to at least six school districts or bus contractors, reports NJ Spotlight News. 

Officials say the pilot program could jump-start efforts to phase out all diesel school buses in favor of electric vehicles.

The state's goal is to transition from fossil fuels to 100% clean energy by mid-century. 

The pilot program also is expected to help determine the most economical and practical way to transition the entire diesel school bus fleet to electric vehicles over the next decade.