CBPA is managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office). The aim of the scheme is to connect transit and school bus fleets with technical experts to support planning for bus electrification. Fleets also have the option to receive free deployment assistance from NREL at the completion of their plan.

CBPA is not an incentive program, and fleets do not receive direct funding — rather, selected applicants will be allocated technical assistance resources by NREL.

Applications for assistance are open on a rolling basis through 30 September 2024, giving fleets an opportunity to fully understand their needs before applying for support. This new program will reduce the burden of electrification by helping fleet managers create a step-by-step plan to transition their bus fleet.

The Joint Office is a collaboration between the US Departments of Energy and Transportation to support the buildout of a nationwide network of electric vehicle chargers, zero-emission fuelling infrastructure, and zero-emission transit and school buses.