BIDIRECTIONAL Act

The BIDIRECTIONAL Act establishes a federal grant program to support projects using electric school buses with bidirectional energy capabilities, meaning these buses can both draw power from and supply power back to the electrical grid. The program, funded with $500 million over fiscal years 2024-2028, provides grants to eligible entities including school districts, utilities, manufacturers, and charging infrastructure providers for projects that include at least one such electric school bus. The bill also requires states to consider implementing rates, tariffs, and standards that enable vehicle-to-grid integration and compensation for electricity exported from vehicles to the grid. Projects must demonstrate economic viability, include community outreach, and report data on operational impacts to ensure effective deployment of this technology.