Article Summary –
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $1 billion in grants to replace gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles and school buses with electric vehicles. The grant program will support the adoption and deployment of eligible Class 6 and 7 electric vehicles, including school buses and vocational vehicles, while also funding charging infrastructure and workforce development. The Inflation Reduction Act statute mandates that at least $400 million of the program’s funding goes to projects serving communities dealing with significant pollution.
EPA Announces $1 Billion Grant to Replace Gas Vehicles With Electric
Photo: Highland Fleets
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $1 billion in grants for replacing gas heavy-duty vehicles and school buses with electric options.
The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program aims to support the deployment of eligible Class 6 and 7 electric vehicles, funding charging infrastructure, and workforce development and training.
The EPA grants divide into two sub-programs:
1. School Bus Sub-Program for applicants replacing school buses (70% of funding)
2. Vocational Vehicles Sub-Program for replacing non-school bus Class 6 and 7 vehicles such as box trucks, dump trucks, delivery trucks, etc. (30% of funding)
At least $400 million of the program’s funds will be directed towards projects serving communities significantly affected by pollution, as defined by EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Over 3 million Class 6 and 7 vehicles are presently in use across the US, including school buses, refuse haulers, and delivery trucks. The grant program is part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.
“Today’s EPA funding will bring electric school buses, garbage trucks, and delivery vans to neighborhoods, reducing pollution and creating good-paying manufacturing jobs,” said John Podesta, senior advisor to the President for International Climate Policy.
The transportation sector is the largest source of US greenhouse gas emissions, and health-harming pollution. The vehicles eligible for replacement are largely powered by pre-old EPA emission standard internal combustion engines. Pollution from these vehicles is linked with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, posing a higher risk to children, older adults, those with preexisting health conditions, and lower-income groups.
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