How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 65% of admissible expenses, capped at $240000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2028-03-31T23:59:59Z.

School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus

Q: What are School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus's eligibility criterias?

Must have head office or establishment in Quebec Must provide long-term electric school bus rental service to eligible organizations Must not be listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA)

Last Update: August 4, 2025

QC, Canada

Financial support for purchasing new electric school buses in Quebec

School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $240,000 to $240,000
Up to 65% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : March 31, 2028

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Transportation and warehousing
Educational services

Grant Providers

Gouvernement du Québec

Program status

Open

Overview of the School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus program

The School Bus Electrification Program – Stream 1 provides up to $240,000 in financial assistance for the purchase of new, fully electric school buses (types A, C, or D) in Quebec. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of electric school buses by supporting eligible transporters and educational institutions in acquiring these vehicles.

Financing terms and conditions

A flat-rate financial assistance of $240,000 is granted for the purchase of a new, fully electric school bus of type "A", "C", or "D", regardless of battery capacity.
The financial aid is applied as a purchase rebate directly deducted by the manufacturer or distributor at the time of the transaction.

Eligible projects & activities

Acquisition of new, fully electric school buses for use in Quebec's student transportation sector.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 240,000

Modernize rural fleet with a GreenPower Type A electric bus

$ 240,000

Integrate a Navistar IC Bus electric unit into mixed fleet

$ 240,000

Replace old diesel bus with an electric LionM model

$ 240,000

Acquire a LionC electric bus for student transportation fleet

$ 240,000

Purchase an electric Girardin Blue Bird Micro Bird school bus

$ 240,000

Procure a new BYD Type D electric bus for city routes

Eligibility criteria of the School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus program

The applicant must be a school transportation provider under contract for school service centres or private educational institutions, or a school service centre, private educational institution, or company providing long-term electric school bus rentals to eligible organizations.
The applicant must have its head office or an establishment located in Quebec.
If the applicant has more than 100 employees, it must commit to implementing an employment equity program.
The applicant must not be registered in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
If the applicant is a contract school transporter, it must have a valid student transport contract in force.

Who is eligible?

Contract school transportation providers serving school service centres (including francophone, Littoral, Cree and Kativik school boards, Naskapis School, and anglophone school boards) or private educational institutions
School service centres and private educational institutions providing their own student transportation services
Companies offering long-term rental services of electric school buses to the above eligible organizations

Who is not eligible

Companies that do not have their head office or an establishment in Quebec.
Organizations listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
Entities without an active school bus transportation contract (for school bus service providers).

Eligible expenses

Purchase of a new, fully electric school bus of type "A", "C" or "D", including all fees and applicable taxes directly related to the acquisition.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations with their head office or an establishment in Quebec.

How to apply to the School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus program

Verify eligibility requirements

Confirm your organization is eligible according to program criteria
Ensure your vehicle is new, fully electric (Type “A”, “C” or “D”), assembled in Canada, and on the list of eligible vehicles
Verify compliance with all outlined conditions, such as location and contracts

Prepare required documentation

Download and complete the financial assistance application form for the purchase of an electric school bus
Complete and sign the assignment of financial assistance form if applicable
Gather a copy of the purchase order, duly signed and non-cancellable except in force majeure
Include a resolution or internal bylaw authorizing the signatory, if the applicant is an organization
Prepare the service contract with the relevant education establishment, if required

Submit the application

Send your complete application and supporting documents to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility
Ensure submission before the deadline of March 31, 2028
Use the email: DAIE-individuentreprise@transports.gouv.qc.ca

Await application results

Await approval notification from the ministry
The manufacturer or distributor will deliver the electric school bus upon approval

Complete reimbursement process

Provide all required supporting documents to confirm delivery and activation of the vehicle in Quebec
Submit the certificate of registration or temporary registration provided by the SAAQ
Send the detailed invoice showing the financial aid rebate, proof of payment, and transaction certificate

Additional information

The beneficiary must publicly acknowledge the financial support from the Government of Quebec in all communications related to the program.
Only electric school buses listed on the eligible vehicles list are admissible for the program.
Constructors must submit a list of compatible charging stations when registering their electric school buses.
The program's terms and reporting requirements are detailed in published application guidelines (PDF).