Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance News
February 2023
Coalition Activities
Do you use Box Trucks in your fleet? Would you like to demo this electric Box Truck?
Wondering how an electric box truck would work in your fleet? Participate in a University of Texas 2-month demonstraton project. Selected fleets will have the use of the truck (and if needed, level 2 charging), for 2 months. Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance will determine if the fleet meets the minimum qualifications. For more information: contact info@lonestarcfa.org, by February 20, 2022.
Annual Fleets & Fuels Survey
Easy to complete: We’re eager to learn how many alt fuel vehicles you have, how many miles traveled, or gallons used. If you’ve added charging or fueling or are using fuel efficient technologies or idle reduction strategies, or have a plan to implement any of these, we want to know! Just by responding to our survey, you’ll be included in our 2023 Fleet Recognition Awards!
Coalition News
Increase the Life and Range of Your EV Batteries
Thursday, February 23
12:00 – 12:45 CT
with Cary Gniffke of Holt Truck Centers & Russell Worthy of Xos Trucks
Did you know? Many factors influence the lifespan of an EV battery: local climate, driving and charging patterns, battery control strategies, the vehicle-battery-environment thermal system, and battery chemistry.
Did you know? Drivers can extend battery life by using no more than 80% charge daily and charging overnight. Testing shows this can extend battery life so that after 7 years of daily use you still have 70% overall of original range.
Register here today
Fleet Manager Discussion – Putting EVs and Charging in Your Fleet
Fleet Manager Roundtable Discussion
Thursday, March 23rd
12:00 – 12:45 CT
Register here
State & National News
Santa Brings Texas Pupils New Propane and Natural Gas School Buses
Texas pupils will be riding new ultralow emission natural gas and propane vehicles in 2023. With help from state and federal grants, the following Texas school districts will be reducing harmful emissions by replacing their old diesels with clean propane and natural gas buses: Alvin, Barbers Hill, Boerne, Dickinson, Hays, Houston, Humble, Pasadena, Port Isabel and Roby ISDs. Several more districts are on waitlists. These districts will be reducing their operating costs as well. Although fuel costs have moderated since last spring, propane and natural gas are still a bargain compared to diesel. Contact Heather Ball for information & assistance with alternative fuel grants such as the TCEQ's 2022 Clean Fleet Grant Program.
Clean Vehicle Credit formerly Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit)
Changes in 2023 to the EV tax credit - check the Alternative Fuel Data Center's page on the Inflation Reduction Act. Understand the requirement for final assembly in North America that took effect on August 16, 2022 and the additional provisions went into effect on January 1, 2023.
2023 Fuel Economy Guide Now Available
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have just released the 2023 Fuel Economy Guide. The Guide provides detailed fuel economy estimates for model year 2023 light-duty vehicles, along with estimated annual fuel costs and other information for prospective car buyers.
Grants & Funding
TCEQ is now accepting applications under the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP).
The TNGVGP provides grants to encourage an entity that owns and operates a heavy-duty or medium-duty motor vehicle to repower the vehicle with a natural gas engine or replace the vehicle with a natural gas vehicle.
Applications will be accepted for consideration on a first-come, first-served basis and must be received by TCEQ no later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time on March 31, 2023.
TCEQ TERP Grant Programs and Opening Dates
 | FY 2022 – 2023 FUNDING Menu Edit Text Editor Widgets Panel | STATUS |
Diesel Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) | ~$45M | OPENING SOON |
Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grants Program (TNGVGP) | $34M | OPEN |
Seaport & Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program (SPRY) | $20M | CLOSED |
Texas Clean Fleet Program (TCFP) | $16M | CLOSED |
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP) | $17M | CLOSED |
Rebate Grants Program | $75M | CLOSED |
Texas Clean School Bus Program (TCSB) | $13M | CLOSED |
| Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) | $12M | CLOSED |
New Technology Implementation Grant (NTIG) | TBD | OPENING SOON |
Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program (GAFF) | TBD | CLOSED |
DOE Grant Opportunity The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Notice of Intent
The following grant notice of intent offers a number of possible project areas. These are typically competitive grants, with a significant cost share. Selected projects will provide DOE with data for the purpose of growing their knowledge base.
The DOE’s VTO has announced a notice of intent (NOI) to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Fiscal Year 2023 Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement” (DE-FOA-0002893). The potential FOA will advance research, development, demonstration, and deployment in several areas critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including:
- Reduction of weight and cost of batteries,
- Reduction in life cycle emissions of advanced lightweight materials,
- Reduced costs and advanced technologies for on- and off-road vehicle charging and infrastructure,
- Innovative public transit solutions, and
- Training to increase deployment of these technologies among diverse communities.
Check it out!
Electric Forklifts and Port Cargo Handling Equipment: Opening Soon
Electric Airport Ground Support Equipment: Opening Soon
Electric Airport Ground Support Equipment: Opening Soon
Events
EV Readiness Fleet Manager Roundtables are Back!
Topics you’d like to discuss in our EV Readiness Webinars? Organizations you’d like to visit? Let us know!: Info@lonestarcfa.org.
Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Showcase
March 7th, 2023
Workshop & Ride & Drive
Details to follow.
Register for the 17th Annual Energy Independence Summit in D.C.
Join Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) in Washington D.C. February 13-15 for the largest clean transportation Summit with Congressional, Administration, industry, and coalition leaders. Annually Clean Cities Coalitions like Lone Star Clean Fuels join with TEP and industry partners for:
- Information on new trends, technologies, and opportunities in the clean transportation industry,
- Meetings with top federal agency leaders and,
- Capitol Hill Day meetings with more than 300 House and Senate offices to educate decisionmakers about the importance of federal clean transportation incentives and investments.
Learn more here.
Thank you to our members!
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