The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment in clean heavy vehicles, allocating over $735 million to support the purchase of more than 2,400 zero-emission vehicles. This initiative is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) first Clean Heavy Vehicle Grant Program, which was established under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. The program aims to replace existing internal combustion engine vehicles with zero-emission alternatives and includes funding for infrastructure development and workforce training.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the program's impact on reducing air pollution and improving infrastructure: "Thanks to President Biden, we are accelerating American leadership in developing clean technologies that address climate change impacts." John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, added that these grants will create jobs and make communities healthier while protecting the planet.
Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor, highlighted the administration's commitment to advancing clean transportation: "From zero-emission freight vehicles to clean school buses for children, the Biden-Harris Administration is advancing the next generation of clean transportation."
Currently, there are over 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles in use across various sectors in the United States. Many older models emit higher levels of harmful pollutants compared to newer vehicles. The EPA's grant program seeks to accelerate the adoption of eligible zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by replacing older internal combustion engine models.
Proposed replacement vehicles include battery-electric vans and trucks, emergency response vehicles, refuse/recycling trucks, school buses, shuttle buses, step vans, transit buses, utility vehicles, and some hydrogen fuel cell transit buses. Additionally, funding will support ZEV fueling infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging stations and workforce development initiatives.
Approximately 70% of today's selections focus on purchasing clean school buses. These efforts complement EPA's Clean School Bus Program under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Several projects exemplify this initiative:
- Boston Public Schools will receive about $35 million to replace diesel and propane-powered school buses with electric units.
- Saint Louis Public Schools have been allocated over $10 million for similar upgrades.
- North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is set to receive $60 million for vocational vehicle replacements.
- Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will get $190 thousand for an electric laundry truck replacement.
The Clean Heavy Vehicle Grant Program supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aimed at delivering federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities burdened by pollution. Approximately $523 million from today's announcement will fund projects serving areas not meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The EPA plans to finalize awards early in 2025 after fulfilling legal requirements. Project execution is expected within two or three years depending on scope. A separate grant program focusing on workforce development is anticipated in early 2025.
For further information or updates regarding selected applicants' project implementation progress visit EPA’s Clean Heavy Vehicle Grant Program webpage or contact them via email at cleanhdvehicles@epa.gov.
