Federal Grants for Fleets
Funding opportunities for a wide range of fleet vehicles and refueling facilities are regularly offered through both state and federal agencies. Depending on the agency issuing funds, eligible projects can include emissions retrofits, fuel and engine repowers, vehicle replacements, idle reduction technology, battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, compressed natural gas, propane, biodiesel and other alternative fuel powered vehicles and refueling infrastructure.
U.S. EPA Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative
The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI) leverages financial and technical resources to reduce diesel engine emissions in focus areas including the trucking industry, rail companies, port authorities, and agricultural companies. MCDI continues to work with partners including businesses, municipalities and school districts to reduce emissions from public and private vehicle fleets.It is estimated that thereare approximately 3.3 million diesel-powered engines in the Midwestthat can be affected through voluntary action. To learn more about thenegative health and environmental impacts of diesel pollution or to readabout future funding opportunities, please visit the Midwest Clean Diesel website.
U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Clean Cities Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for Transportation Sector, for projects covering a range of alternative fuel and transportation-related technology deployment and educational activities. Areas of interest include refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels, incremental costs of dedicated alternative fuel vehicles, and education and outreach workshops for petroleum reduction fuels and technologies. For more information, visit the DOE Financial Assistance Opportunities page.
State of Ohio Grants for Fleets
Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership (OATP)
In early 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities program announced new grant funding available for alternative fuel and electric vehicles and fueling and charging infrastructure. This grant funding was made possible by passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The total funding available through this program was set at $300 million nationwide.
Throughout the winter of 2009, Clean Fuels Ohio engaged representatives from public and private fleets across the state, holding multiple working group meetings to provide education on historic ARRA funding opportunities and coordination for project development. As a result, CFO assembled a diverse collaboration of stakeholders into a single application for DOE project funding. In August 2009, Clean Fuels Ohio’s project, titled the “Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership,” was awarded $11,014,500 in ARRA funds to bring cleaner, alternative fuel vehicles and refueling infrastructure to Ohio. Partner investments for this project total $18,588,682.
The Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership (OATP) represents a $30 million investment in alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure projects from partners across the state. The projects included in OATP—the purchase and conversion of vehicles, construction of refueling facilities, and public education campaigns—represent significant investments in Ohio’s transportation future.
DOE Clean Cities FY09 ARRA Grant Application Partners (PDF)»
Ohio EPA Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Grant
This Ohio EPA grant program aims to help school districts retrofit their diesel buses with pollution control equipment, idle reduction technologies, and utilized certified alternative fuels. Grant sizes range from $5,000 to $100,000 and focus on areas of non-attainment, although monies will be distributed to areas of attainment if all applicants in non-attainment areas have been exhausted. For more information, please visit the EPA's website.
