The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing non-ZE Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles with ZE vehicles.
Donor Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/25/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
Goals and Objectives
Across the nation, over three million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use,spanning a wide variety of vehicle types and vocations, including, but not limited to, school buses, refuse haulers, and utility and delivery trucks. The majority of these vehicles are non-ZE vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) that pre-date recent EPA emission standards. These vehicles emit harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and greenhouse gases. Because these engines can operate for 30 years or more, these older, higher-emitting engines are still powering the vehicles that travel the nation’s roads and highways every day. In the U.S., the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to anthropogenic greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions. Despite comprising only 10% of vehicles on U.S. roads, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles account for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions, 34% of NOx emissions, and 22% of PM. emissions4 for the entire transportation sector. 5 These emissions disproportionately impact communities where these vehicles operate, leading to pollution that is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other serious health problems. Children, older adults, those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status are particularly vulnerable and are at a higher risk for these health impacts.
The IRA provides funding to replace in-use, non-ZE heavy-duty vehicles with new ZE vehicles. The objective of the CHDV Grants program is to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in nonattainment areas and areas with environmental justice concerns, by encouraging the sustainable deployment of ZE heavy-duty vehicles. Vehicle replacements funded under this program will result in cleaner air and improved health for the communities in which they operate, the children and other passengers on the vehicles, and the drivers and maintenance staff who work closely on these vehicles.
There are two separate sub-programs under which applicants may apply to this NOFO:
- The School Bus Sub-Program: for applicants replacing Class 6-7 school buses.
- The Vocational Vehicles Sub-Program: for applicants replacing non-school bus Class 6 and Class 7 vehicle types.
Funding Information
Estimated Total Program Funding: $932,000,000.
Period of Performance
The estimated project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will be up to 24 months, however, initial project periods of up to 36 months will be allowed where justified by the activities, timeline, and milestones detailed in the workplan. The estimated project start date for awards is January 2025.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities under these sub-programs include:
- The replacement of existing ICE school buses and other Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles with ZE school buses and heavy-duty vehicles;
- Purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining infrastructure needed to charge, fuel, or maintain ZE vehicles; and
- Workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of ZE vehicles.
Eligibility Criteria
Consistent with Assistance Listing No. 66.049 and EPA’s Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (EPA Order §5700.5A1), competition under this solicitation is available to:
- States, including U.S. territories;
- Municipalities, including public school districts;
- Indian Tribes; and
- Nonprofit school transportation associations.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
