CEC’s EnergIIZE Project opens two set-aside funding lanes for transit agencies and drayage fleets

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Project has opened two set-aside funding lanes for transit agencies and drayage fleets. Administered by CALSTART and partner Tetra Tech, the EnergIIZE Project will offer $11.4 million total infrastructure incentives for transit agencies and $22.2 million for drayage fleets. Both funding lanes will be open for applications beginning at 9 a.m. on July 27 and close on Aug. 25 at 5 p.m.

Transit

In 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a regulation that set a statewide goal for public transit agencies to “gradually transition to 100 percent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040.”

By helping California transit agencies deploy more zero-emission transit vehicles and their charging infrastructure, CALSTART notes the state can make great strides toward meeting its air quality and climate-change goals. Funding has been set aside specifically for the following users that meet the specified requirements:

• Agencies that are compliant with the CARB Innovative Clean Transit program
• California Native American Tribes, California Tribal Organizations or non-governmental organizations serving Tribal entities who own or operate transit

“We are excited to engage with California-based transit agencies and drayage fleets to offer them unique incentive opportunities that can help them reach their target zero-emissions goals and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Alyssa Haerle, CALSTART’s director, Infrastructure Incentive Administration.

Drayage Fleets

EnergIIZE set-aside funds that will also be available for drayage zero-emission vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure to further reach air and climate goals. The offering allows fleets to purchase a drayage vehicle through the California HVIP Drayage Set-Aside and be eligible for infrastructure incentives. The aim is to accelerate the deployment of infrastructure when and where it is needed.

To qualify for Drayage Fleet Set-Aside funds, fleets must be:

• Requesting vouchers for drayage vehicle incentives through the CARB HVIP program on or after March 30, 2022, with active redeemed or unredeemed status and have completed all required information on the HVIP voucher request form.
• Included in the CARB HVIP program’s list of eligible entities for Drayage Truck, as specified in the most recent version of the HVIP Implementation Manual, and performing drayage operations as defined in that manual.

EnergIIZE plans to open Drayage Public Set-Aside funding opportunities later this year. The offering will allow fleets that purchase a drayage vehicle through the California HVIP Drayage Set-Aside program to apply to receive infrastructure incentives for a shared or public electric charging or hydrogen refueling station.

“We are excited to provide fueling infrastructure incentives together with CARB’s vehicle incentives for transit bus and drayage truck zero-emission fleets through CALSTART’s EnergIIZE program,” said CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan. “The program is funding both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric technologies, including mixed fuel stations to meet fleet needs. Transitioning transit buses and drayage trucks to zero-emission technology is particularly important for communities that are disproportionately exposed to toxic diesel pollution.”

The set-asides are subsets of funding under EnergIIZE specifically designed for transit, drayage and public school bus vocations. Standard EnergIIZE offers four additional funding lanes for diverse applicants, including EV Jump Start, EV Fast Track, EV Public Charging Station and Hydrogen.