Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Program
On this page:
- Background
- Eligibility
- Available Technical Assistance
- Connection to Other EPA, Federal or Non-Governmental Efforts
Background
The EPA’s 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program provides up to $932 million in competitive grant funding to replace existing non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, support zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and to train and develop workers. At least $400 million will be used to fund projects serving communities located in an area in nonattainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA will fund eligible recipients to replace existing non-zero-emission Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles with eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. To support zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment, funding may also be used for zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure, workforce development and training, and project implementation costs.
EPA anticipates notifying selectees by November 2024 and awarding the grants by December 2025.
Eligibility
Who is generally eligible to apply?
The following entities were eligible to apply under the 2024 CHDV Grant Program:
- States, including U.S. territories.
- Municipalities, including public school districts.
- Indian Tribes.
- Nonprofit school transportation associations.
Note that while third party contractors, such as transportation service providers and vehicle and charging equipment manufacturers, were not eligible to apply directly, they may still participate in the CHDV Grant Program by encouraging potential applicants to apply and working with grantees through the bidding process after grants are awarded. EPA anticipates notifying selectees by November 2024 and awarding the grants by December 2025.
For set-asides, subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations, EPA anticipates awarding at least 15 awards to eligible applicants from Tribes and territories, and at least $400 million to projects in nonattainment with the NAAQS.
The CHDV Grant Program is a Justice40 covered program, which means that 40% of applicable federal benefits of the CHDV Grant Program must flow to disadvantaged communities. EPA will prioritize funding for projects that serve disadvantaged communities burdened by higher levels of air pollution, as well as projects which address climate resilience, project sustainability and workforce development.
How can projects funded by this program incorporate adaptation and resilience considerations?
Eligible activities and costs for the 2024 CHDV Grant Program include:
- The incremental cost of replacing a non-zero-emission Class 6/7 heavy-duty vehicle with an eligible Class 6/7 zero-emission vehicle.
- The purchase and installation of refueling infrastructure that will support vehicles replaced under this program.
- Note that funds can be used for battery energy storage systems associated with new electric vehicles funded in the program, as well as renewable on-site power generation systems that power the vehicles and equipment. To be eligible, these systems must be on the customer’s side of the electrical meter.
- Driver/mechanic training related to the maintenance and operation of new technologies, and vehicle warranties.
- Costs directly related to the implementation, management, and oversight of the project, including recipient and subrecipient personnel and benefits, contractual services, consulting on vehicle deployments, travel, supplies, and indirect costs.
As the 2024 CHDV Grant Program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants, it can also help communities prepare for, adapt to and build resilience against climate change. Examples of climate adaptation and resilience aspects of the vehicle replacement project applications that the program will award points for include:
- Assessing project vulnerability to local climate impacts when making siting decisions and operational plans.
- Taking measures to avoid damages due to local climate impacts such as ensuring fleets and equipment are protected from climate change impacts, such as flooding and sea level rise, and protecting infrastructure from storm damage.
- Installing renewable on-site power generation systems on the customer’s side of the electrical meter as eligible program costs.
- Note that these systems can both power the vehicles and equipment, as well as be used as backup power during storms, to strengthen community resilience.
Thus, 2024 CHDV Grant projects that integrate renewable energy sources with transportation infrastructure or employ advanced energy storage solutions can serve as models for resilience.
Available Technical Assistance
The CHDV Grant Program provides a variety of technical assistance to support applicants and recipients with developing projects that achieve climate benefits, among other priorities.
- Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program Resources: This webpage provides various resources on topics including eligible vehicles, workforce development and tax credits. Additionally, EPA webinars on the CHDV Grant Program and relevant resources can be found on the CHDV Grant Program webpage.
- Joint Office of Energy and Transportation: The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation provides technical assistance to CHDV applicants via a partnership with EPA. Interested stakeholders can contact the office to ask questions and receive free technical assistance regarding the planning and deployment of zero-emission vehicles in their communities on topics including conducting a route analysis and choosing a vehicle and charger type, and get support
Connections to Other EPA, Federal or Non-Governmental Efforts
Support offered by the following programs can be used in combination with the CHDV Grant Program to advance climate-resilient projects across the country.
- Clean Bus Planning Awards Program: Funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, this program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for fleets across the United States. Applications for assistance are open on a rolling basis through September 30, 2024, giving fleets an opportunity to fully understand their needs before applying for funding support for fleet electrification. This program will reduce the burden of electrification by helping fleet managers create a step-by-step plan to transition their bus fleet.
- Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers: These centers provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals and effectively managing grant funding. Visit the program’s website to identify the EJ TCTAC in your area and access grant technical assistance.
- Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits: The CHDV Grant Program’s funding recipients may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits via the Internal Revenue Service. Credits would be applicable to vehicle and infrastructure purchases and may include the:
Visit the IRS website for more information on these credits. Funding recipients are encouraged to keep an eye out for future guidance that the IRS intends to issue on these two tax credits.