By: Dawn Haworth, Communications Assistant

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) together have three major grant opportunities available to expand the implementation of zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure throughout the United States.

The EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investment of $1 billion to be used toward replacing existing emitting heavy-duty vehicles with zero emission vehicles, supporting infrastructure for these vehicles, and workforce development.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been announced and offers up to $932 million in funding under the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program. The deadline to apply is July 25, 2024, and the EPA plans to notify those selected by November 2024, and award grants by February of the following year. Those who are eligible to apply include States, United States territories, municipalities, public school districts, Indian Tribes, and non-profit school transportation associations. The vehicles eligible under the program are Class 6 and Class 7 school buses, along with other Class 6 and 7 vehicles like dump trucks, transit buses, delivery trucks, utility trucks, and other box trucks.

Visit the EPA’s website for more information on the program and what components are eligible for funding. John Bonitz, NCCETC Clean Transportation Specialist, says “In the case of old diesel school buses, each one we replace with an electric school bus will immediately give those students cleaner air, fewer asthma attacks, better attendance, and increased ridership. That’s a great payback!”

On the EV charging side of clean transportation, the CFI Grant Program offers up to $1.3 billion in funding and has two tracks aimed to make EV charging more accessible. The Community Charging and Alternative Fueling Grants (Community Program) focus on the installation of EV charging and alternative fuel in public schools, parks, roads, and accessible parking facilities. Rural areas and low- or moderate-income neighborhoods will be prioritized in the Community Program grants. The Charging and Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program) work to install EV charging as well as hydrogen/propane/natural gas fueling infrastructure in designated alternative fuel corridors.

Applications are open for the CFI Grant Program until August 28, 2024. State Governments, Local Governments, Federally Recognized Tribes, planning organizations, transportation providers, and United States territories are eligible to apply. The funding can be used for planning, equipment, technology demonstrations, sustainability, and accessibility. To learn more about the CFI Grant Program visit the DOT website or the Federal Highway Administration website.

The NEVI Program offers up to $5 billion to be distributed over 5 years between 2022 and 2026 for EV charging infrastructure deployment and to establish a network to oversee data, access, and reliability. States, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico are eligible to apply for activities such as public transportation charging, infrastructure planning, and workforce development. States will be required to submit annual plans on their use of grant funds for EV infrastructure. View this fact sheet for more information about the program.

NCCETC Clean Transportation Program Director, Heather Brutz, says “The NEVI and CFI grants will go a long way towards helping to close the infrastructure gaps for EV charging in North Carolina and the United States.” Look into applying for one of these funding opportunities today to play a part in the initiative to decrease vehicle emissions across the country.