The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded 70 applicants more than $735 million in Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program grants.
Grants were awarded to 27 states, three tribal nations, and one territory and will assist with the purchase of more than 2,400 zero-emission vehicles.
The program will accelerate the adoption and deployment of eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. Funding also can be used for zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure, work force development and training, and project implementation costs.
There are more than 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles currently in use nationwide. The vehicles emit higher levels when compared to newer vehicles of harmful pollutants such as greenhouse gases, fine particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides.
Approximately $523 million in funds were awarded to projects in areas with fine particulate matter and ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards while approximately 70 percent will support the purchase of clean school buses.
Awardees include:
The North Central Texas Council of Governments was awarded $60 million to issue rebates to program beneficiaries for the replacement of approximately 234 vocational vehicles with zero-emission vehicles.
Boston Public Schools was awarded $35.08 million to replace 125 diesel and propane school buses with zero-emissions electric units and to purchase 125 direct current fast chargers.