More zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty freight vehicles are available than ever before and new models continue to come online. To help freight operators seize this moment, there are many financial incentives and grant opportunities at the federal, state and local level. Learn more about these opportunities here!
Tools
This tool from Portland General Electric will help compare the total cost of ownership between conventional gas/diesel vehicles and electric vehicles based on number of vehicles in your fleet and average daily miles driven. Use it to learn more about how electrification can lower your costs: https://portlandgeneral.com/form-fleet-total-cost-of-ownership-tool
Federal Tax Credits
The Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit can be used by businesses and tax-exempt organizations to purchase a qualified commercial clean vehicle for a tax credit of up to $40,000. The credit equals the lesser of: 15% of your basis in the vehicle (30% if the vehicle is not powered by gas or diesel) or the incremental cost of the vehicle.
The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit makes alternative fueling equipment, including electric charging equipment, in certain census tracts eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost, not to exceed $100,000.
United States Environmental Protection Agency Opportunities
The U.S. EPA Port Initiative works in collaboration with the port industry, communities, and all levels of government to improve environmental performance and increase economic prosperity. It has many technical resources and sources news about new technology and funding opportunities.
The U.S. EPA Clean Ports Program received $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to help ports develop climate action plans to reduce air pollutants at U.S. ports.
The U.S. EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program will open in early 2023 and will likely continue to focus on achieving significant reductions in diesel emissions. Eligible diesel vehicles include school buses, Class 5 – Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles, locomotive engines, marine engines and nonroad engines, equipment or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo, agriculture, mining or energy production.
The U.S. EPA Clean-Heavy Duty Vehicle program received $1 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to replace dirty heavy-duty vehicles with clean, zero-emission vehicles, support zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and to train and develop workers. The program offers grants and/or rebates to eligible recipients to replace existing heavy-duty vehicles with clean, zero-emission vehicles. Funding is also available for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, workforce development and training, and planning and technical activities.
The U.S. EPA SmartWay Program helps carriers demonstrate their fuel efficiency achievements, show continuous improvement and commitment, learn best practices, and receive industry recognition.
The U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Zero Emission Technologies Grant program was established by the Inflation Reduction Act. It funds projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of air pollution, with a particular emphasis on projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
The U.S. EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program received a $5 billion investment from the Inflation Reduction Act to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. The program is broken into Phase I Planning Grants and Phase II Implementation Grants.
United States Department of Transportation Opportunities
The U.S. DOT Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development Grants expects to award 50 projects designed to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports.
The U.S. DOT Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Vehicle Program received $1.2 billion in funding to support state and local efforts to buy or modernize buses, improve bus facilities, and support workforce development.
The U.S. DOT Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program will award $2.5 billion over five years to fund EV charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities across the country and along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways.
The U.S. DOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program received $1.5 billion in grant funding for 2023. This funding will focus on completing critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects.
United States Department of Energy Opportunities
The U.S. DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program is part of an $8 billion effort to catalyze investment in a national clean hydrogen network to decarbonize multiple sectors of the economy.
State of Oregon Opportunities
The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), allows businesses to apply for up to ten rebates annually. The Standard Rebate provides $2,500 for electric vehicles (under 8,500 lbs. GVWR) with batteries of 10 kWh or more and a base MSRP under $50,000.
The Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants program, administered by the Oregon DEQ, provides approximately $8 million in grant funding every year for five years, starting in 2021. These funds are aimed at reducing diesel emissions through replacing older, more polluting diesel engine vehicles with equivalent cleaner burning or all-electric equipment.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Grants, funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered by DEQ provides monies to fund transportation projects in nonattainment or maintenance areas. This funding can be used to fund on-road, non-road, and other ZEV projects such as vehicle acquisitions, engine conversions, and refueling or charging facilities.
The Oregon Small-Scale Local Energy Loan Program offers low-interest loans for qualifying projects, including fleet vehicles.
The Oregon Clean Fuels Program provides incentives to providers of clean transportation fuels including electricity in the form of credits. Owners of chargers that service on-road (light, medium, and heavy-duty) and off-road vehicles can generate CFP credits when they report how much electricity is dispensed to EVs on a monthly basis. The credits can be sold to other participants of the program and the revenue can be used at the discretion of the charger owner. In addition, there is a special provision contained within CFP called Advance Credits, that is aimed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. It allows public entities - such as tribal or local governments, transit agencies, school districts, ports, etc. - or private entities that are contracted to provide public service to these public entities, to generate up to six years’ worth of credits when an electric vehicle is put into service rather than waiting for six years to pass. The advance credits are put into an account and the balance is drawn down as the quarterly reports are submitted until it is paid off; at which point more credits can be generated.
Oregon utility Portland General Electric’s Fleet Charging program provides funding for make-ready costs and fleet charging infrastructure.