Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ)

Purpose

To support the adoption and deployment of zero-emission Class 6 or Class 7 heavy-duty vehicles.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligible activities include: (1) The replacement of existing ICE school buses and other Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles with ZE school buses and heavy-duty vehicles; (2) Purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining related infrastructure; and (3) Workforce development and training.

Decarbonization Considerations

Consider replacing current transit buses, garbage trucks, and other utility vehicles with zero-emission vehicles.

Equity Considerations

Consider prioritizing projects in nonattainment areas or communities where residents are historically disproportionally impacted by air pollution. For workforce development and training activities, consider partnering with community-based organizations and adopting strategies that help develop and maintain the local workforce. Find more information about nonattainment areas here: https://www.epa.gov/green-book

Helpful Tips

Potential applicants can prepare for this funding now by conducting an assessment of municipal fleets and develop a phased replacement plan for different vehicle types depending on their retirement timeline, available funding opportunities, etc.

Other Notes

This NOFO includes two sub-programs: the School Bus Sub-Program and the Vocational Vehicles Sub-Program. The EPA anticipates awarding approximately 70 percent of the total funding to projects under a School Bus Sub-Program, and anticipates awarding at least 15 grants across both sub-programs to eligible applicants from Tribes and territories under a Tribal/territory set-aside. In addition, at least $400 million of the total funding for this program will be used to fund projects serving one or more communities in areas designated as in nonattainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Selected awardees here: https://www.epa.gov/clean-heavy-duty-vehicles-program/clean-heavy-duty-vehicles-grant-program-tentative-selections