Replace Non-Zero Emission Buses

The EPA has released a 932 million dollar grant to replace non-zero emission transit type buses (Class 6 and 7)

Eligible Vehicles

Eligible vehicles under the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program include:

  • Class 6 and Class 7 school buses

  • Other non-school bus Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles, including (but not limited to):

  • Refuse Haulers/Dump Trucks

  • Class 6/7 Transit Buses

  • Delivery Trucks

  • Utility Trucks

  • Bucket Trucks

  • Other Box Trucks

Eligible Existing Vehicles to be Replaced

To be eligible for replacement, existing vehicles must:

  • Be a Class 6 or Class 7 heavy-duty vehicle with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating between 19,501 lbs. to 33,000 lbs.

  • Be fully operational at the time of application submission. An operational vehicle should be able to start, move, and have all necessary parts to be operational.

  • Be an engine model year 2010 or older diesel-powered vehicle that will be scrapped if selected for funding. If a fleet has no eligible EMY 2010 or older diesel-powered vehicles, the fleet can either:

  1. Scrap an EMY 2010 or older non-diesel internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicle.

  2. Scrap, sell, or donate an EMY 2011 or newer diesel or non-diesel ICE-powered vehicle;

  3. Move an EMY 2011 or newer diesel or non-diesel ICE-powered vehicle to a “reduced service” fleet and scrap an EMY 2010 or older reduced-service vehicle in its place.

Additional requirements for vehicles being replaced through the School Bus Sub-Program include that vehicles must:

  • Be a Class 6 or Class 7 school bus that has provided bus service to a public school district for at least three days/week on average during the 2022/2023 school year at the time of applying, excluding emergency-related school closures.

Additional requirements for vehicles being replaced through the Vocational Vehicles Sub-Program include that vehicles must:

  • Have accumulated at least 7,000 miles/year during each of the two years prior to replacement.

    • The mileage of two vehicles may be combined to reach 7,000 miles/year where two or more vehicles will be replaced by a single vehicle.

    • For Tribal and territory applicants, the mileage minimum is 5,000 miles/year during each of the two years prior to replacement.

    • If a vehicle does not meet the mileage requirement, the applicant can demonstrate that the vehicle has idled at least 500 hours/year during the two years prior to replacement.

Eligible New Replacement Vehicles

To be eligible as a replacement, new vehicles must:

  • Be a zero-emission vehicle.

  • Be a Class 6 or Class 7 heavy-duty vehicle.

  • Be an engine model year 2023 or newer that is certified to conform with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

  • Be ordered only after receiving official notification of award for EPA funding.

  • Be purchased, not leased or leased to own.

  • Not be manufactured or retrofitted with, or otherwise have installed, a power unit or other technology that creates air pollution within the vehicle.

  • Not be purchased or otherwise subsidized with other federal grant funds.

 

Eligible Infrastructure

Electric Charging Infrastructure

Eligible electric infrastructure is limited to installations and upgrades behind the electric meter. This can include, but is not limited to, charging equipment (such as alternating current Level 2 charging equipment, direct-current fast charging equipment, or vehicle-to-grid enabled equipment); design and engineering; installation costs such as trenching, wiring, and electrical upgrades, labor, and permitting; and related intelligent equipment and software designed to monitor vehicle and infrastructure performance (such as telematics or charge management software).

  • EPA funds must not be used for any infrastructure costs associated with work on the utility’s side of the electrical meter.

  • All AC Level 2 charging infrastructure purchased under this program must be EPA ENERGY STAR certified at the time of purchase. The EPA strongly recommends that all other charging infrastructure funded under this program be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. The EPA also strongly encourages recipients to consider long-term fleet electrical needs when installing charging equipment. Installing additional electrical capacity on the customer side of the meter to support future charging needs (e.g., purchasing and running additional electrical conduit during trenching and wiring upgrades) is an allowable use of funds.

  • All electricians installing, operating, or maintaining EVSE are required to be certified from the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, or another program approved by the EPA in consultation with the Department of Labor and Department of Transportation. For projects requiring more than one electrician, at least one electrician must meet the requirements above. Recipients should request and maintain proof of EVITP certification from their electricians for purposes of project audits.

Schedule

Notice of Funding Opportunity Opens
Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Webinar:  
Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program Information
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 3:00 PM (ET)

Final Date to Submit Questions
Monday, July 8, 2024

Final Posting of Q&A Document
Friday, July 19, 2024

NOFO Closes
Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET

Anticipated Notification of Selection
November 2024

Anticipated Awards
February 2025