The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) will open a Call for Projects this summer to distribute $60 million for updated fleets with clean energy-powered vehicles.
Recipients chosen through the North Texas Zero Emissions Vehicles (NTx-ZEV) Project will receive grants to replace existing fossil fuel-powered vehicles with zero-emission alternatives. The funds come from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
The replacement vehicles eligible for reimbursement must meet a series of standards to qualify for the program:
- Manufactured in or after 2023 or have a new Class 6 or 7 hydrogen fuel cell or battery-electric vehicle.
- Bought after notification of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) award.
- Subject to Build America, Buy America requirements.
Qualifying vehicles for replacement include Class 6 and 7 vocational vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel, propane and/or natural gas and have a weight rating between 19,501 and 33,000 pounds. Each vehicle must have been operated with less than 7,000 miles per year or idled for at least 500 hours per year during the last 24 months.
Additional eligible activities may include efforts to expand available charging infrastructure. These initiatives may include building electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hydrogen refueling stations to support zero-emission fleets and workforce development.
Both public and private entities may apply for grant funding. Projects are expected to be awarded in winter 2025 on a recurring basis until all funds are distributed.
Image by Stan Petersen from Pixabay
