Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance News
January 2023
Coalition Activities
2023 Fleet Recognition Awards
And with the New Year comes our Annual Fleets and Fuels Survey. 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! Look for a survey in your inbox next week.
EV Readiness Roundtable Webinar Series Thursday, January 19: How to Increase the Efficiency of your EV’s batteries with Cary Gniffke of Holt Truck Centers and Russell Worthy of Xos Trucks. Register here. Our December EV Readiness Roundtable Presenter was Austin’s own Smart Charge America’s Vice President, David Laderberg. David presented their best practices for siting and installing charging stations. His presentation is here. |
Coalition News
Bastrop eCab Project wins Clean Air Award
Lyle Nelson, CARTS, Judy Fort, LSCFA, Connie Schroeder, Mayor of Bastrop and Chris Nielsen, eCab of North America accepted the award on behalf of the three participating organizations.
The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) recognized David Yeomans, Amy Concilio, Paul Walter, Ethan Tobias, Christiane Heggelund, and a joint effort by the City of Bastrop, Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) and Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance (LSCFA) with the 2022 Air Central Texas awards on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, for their significant contributions to improving the region’s air quality.
Our three organizations coordinated the establishment of transit alternatives that blended electric taxicabs and smaller transit vehicles into an app-based on-demand micro-transit service. They used electric and fuel-efficient vehicles to provide a higher level of service to residents and visitors in Bastrop while reducing vehicle miles traveled and pollutants. Click here for additional facts about the project.
State & National News
Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Capacity in North America in 2030 Projected to be Nearly 20 Times Greater than 2021
A wave of new planned electric vehicle battery plants will increase North America’s battery manufacturing capacity from 55 Gigawatt-hours per year (GWh/year) in 2021 to nearly 1,000 GWh/year by 2030. Most of the announced battery plant projects are scheduled to begin production between 2025 and 2030. To optimize supply chain logistics, many battery plants will be co-located with automotive plants. More here.
CapMetro orders 30 chargers from NFI to help transition to zero-emission buses in Austin, Texas
The Capital Metro Transportation Authority (CapMetro) has exercised options to purchase 30 Heliox 180 kWh depot overhead chargers, including 90 pantograph dispensers, by NFI Infrastructure Solutions. The purchase is part of CapMetro’s five-year contract with NFI subsidiary of New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer) for up to 171 battery-electric buses and 427 chargers. “This is just another step forward in our mission to create a clean environment for our community,” said Andrew Skabowski, chief operating officer, CapMetro. “Sustainability is one of the core values at CapMetro, and through our partnership with New Flyer, we are investing in a sustainable future for all central Texans.” Full article here.
2023 Fuel Economy 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 | STATUS |
Diesel Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) | $ TBD | 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 | Open for CNG and Propane |
Rebate Grants Program | $75M | SUSPENDED |
Texas Clean School Bus Program (TCSB) | $13M | CLOSED |
| Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) | $12M | CLOSED |
New Technology Implementation Grant (NTIG) | TBD | CLOSED |
Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program (GAFF) | TBD | CLOSED |
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
Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Showcase March 7th, 2023 Workshop & Ride & Drive Details to follow.
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