Leveraging Grant Funding for EV School Bus Fleet Transition

Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Ballroom B

A close look at Mt. Diablo USD’s successful EV school bus fleet transition, including aspects of charging infrastructure, battery microgrid, utility interconnection, charge and fleet management, and innovative demand response. How leveraging community support and multiple grant streams, in a phased approach, has resulted in a successful EV School Bus Fleet program. Mt. Diablo USD has assumed a leadership position in Contra Costa County by leveraging multiple grant streams over the course of five years, resulting in a successful transition to an EV School Bus fleet. So far, 24 EV school buses are operating on a daily basis, with another 17 planned by 2029. Growing a reliable charging infrastructure and maintenance program alongside the EV School Bus fleet growth, is key to a successful outcome. The Mt. Diablo Unified School District serves nearly 30,000 students at over 50 schools in the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, Bay Point, and parts of Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Lafayette. MDUSD is committed to ensuring high-quality education for all students and providing innovative programs that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Attendees will:

• Learn how to access and combine multiple sources of grant funding in a phased approach.
• Learn how to access State grant and utility incentive programs for developing charging infrastructure.
• Learn about the latest innovations in Charge Management and Utility Demand Response to manage utility cost.
• Learn how leveraging alternative purchasing methods can speed design and construction of your EV charging facilities.
• Learn how community support and a team approach can help you accomplish a successful transition to an EV School Bus fleet.

Speakers:
James Richmond, President, First Note Finance inc / Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Grant Administrator
Cris Lepe, Director of Transportation, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Melanie Koslow, Executive Director, Maintenance, Operations and Facilities, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Andre Nel, Director of Sustainability, The KYA Group