Pennsylvania awarded $39M to replace diesel fleets

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded 16 applicants more than $39.6 million, funded by the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries, to replace diesel-fueled fleets with zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) as part of the 2022-2023 Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant.

Part of the Driving PA Forward program, DEP says this grant was developed to improve air quality statewide by switching from diesel engines to ZEVs. 

“Clean air is crucial in ensuring a healthy environment,” DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley says. “That’s why we see it as our mission to address one of the most significant air quality challenges facing our commonwealth—emissions from transportation.

These recommendations mark the highest-dollar awards in any round for any Driving PA Forward Initiative funding program, showing a step forward in Pennsylvania’s effort in reducing these emissions by getting more clean trucks on the road in the communities that need them.”

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DEP is awarding $39,605,578.58 to 16 applicants for the battery-electric replacement of dozens of vehicles, including home delivery trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, terminal tractors and the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle replacement of two terminal tractors and their supporting charging infrastructure. 

The borough of Munhall and the city of Chester were awarded $1,681,008 and $1,575,074, respectively, to replace three Class 8 waste collection trucks with three battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and install the necessary charging infrastructure. The city of Erie was awarded $3,120,000 to replace five Class 8 waste collection trucks with BEVs and install the necessary charging infrastructure.

Two companies were awarded funds to replace collection vehicles as well. Portage, Pennsylvania-based Pro Disposal Inc. was awarded $6,190,500 to replace 16 Class 8 waste trucks with BEVs, and Grove City, Pennsylvania-based Tri-County Industries Inc. was awarded $2,785,505 to replace five Class 8 waste trucks with BEVs. This funding includes the installation of the necessary charging infrastructure.

The 2022-2023 Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant focuses on funding projects located in underserved and disproportionately impacted communities.