(a) In this section, "incremental costs" means: (1) In the case of a contract for the purchase of school buses, the cost difference between purchasing and operating school buses that are zero-emission vehicles and school buses that are diesel-powered vehicles; and (2) In the case of a contract for the use of school buses, the cost difference between contracting for the use of school buses that are zero-emission vehicles and school buses that are diesel-powered vehicles. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, beginning in fiscal year 2025, a county board of education may not enter into a new contract for: (1) The purchase of any school bus that is not a zero-emission vehicle; or (2) The use of any school bus that is not a zero-emission vehicle, unless the school bus has an in-service date of July 1, 2024, or before. (c) The requirements of subsection (b) of this section do not apply if: (1) The Department determines that no available zero-emission vehicle meets the performance requirements for the county board's use; or (2) The county board is unable to obtain federal, State, or private funding sufficient to cover the incremental costs associated with contracting for the purchase or use of school buses that are zero-emission vehicles. (d) A county board may enter into an agreement with an electric company to obtain monetary incentives in exchange for allowing the electric company to use the storage batteries of zero-emission buses owned or operated by the county board to access the stored electricity through vehicle-to-grid technology. (e) The Department, in consultation with other appropriate State agencies, shall work with the county boards and private school bus contractors to develop electric vehicle infrastructure sufficient to support school buses that are zero- emission vehicles. (f) The Department shall prioritize the use of available federal funding to carry out this section.
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