Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance News
June 2023
Coalition NEWS
Visiting the Hyliion Facility
A big "thank you” to Hyliion for hosting Texas Clean Cities organizations including Lone Star Fuels Alliance. We were able to ride along in their diesel hybrid-electric truck, (photo) and their Hypertruck ERX. In the ERX, renewable natural gas fuels the generator, which charges the batteries. The batteries power the e-motor which drives the rear axles and provides regenerative braking. These are being tested in larger fleets throughout the US. We learned about their revolutionary Karno generator, a highly efficient, fuel agnostic generator designed to deliver high performance, reduce emissions, and maintain the highest levels of reliability for both vehicle and microgrid applications. More information about Hyliion can be found here.
State & National News
CapMetro to Build Solar-Powered EV Charging Network.
CapMetro, Austin’s regional public transportation provider, is working with HOLT Renewables and bp pulse to bring solar-powered electric vehicle charging infrastructure into its operations. In 2021, the CapMetro board approved the purchase of approximately 200 zero-emissions buses – the largest procurement of battery-electric transit buses in the country. To support the fleet, the project requires innovative use of solar canopies that will produce renewable energy and double as a mounting structure to enable hands-free overhead charging. Read more about the project here.
Grants & Funding
TCEQ TERP Grant Programs & Opening Dates https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/programs
 | | STATUS |
Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants Program (ERIG) |
CLOSED | |
Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grants Program (TNGVGP) | CLOSED | |
Seaport & Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program(SPRY) | CLOSED | |
Texas Clean Fleet Program (TCFP) | CLOSED | |
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP) | CLOSED | |
Rebate Grant Program (Rebate) | CLOSED | |
Texas Clean School Bus Program (TCSB) | CLOSED | |
| Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) | CLOSED | |
New Technology Implementation Grant (NTIG) | CLOSED | |
Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program (GAFF) | CLOSED |
2023 EPA's Clean School Bus Grant Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program! This is the first grant funding opportunity through the multi-year Clean School Bus (CSB) program and follows the 2022 CSB Rebate Program, which was the first round of funding. Under the 2023 CSB Grant Program, EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in competitive funding to eligible applicants for the purchase of zero-emission (ZE) school buses, clean school buses, and ZE charging infrastructure.
The EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land, and rural areas.
Applicants must submit all grant application materials to Grants.gov by:
Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 10:59 PM CT.
The EPA will host a series of public webinars regarding the CSB Grant Program from May through August to provide potential applicants with an overview and how to apply. Webinar registration links will be posted to the Clean School Bus Webinars webpage.
The TCEQ will be opening a new TxVEMP grant round this summer with an estimated $88 million in funding available to upgrade or replace vehicles and equipment operating in eligible areas with new electric models. Some entities may qualify to receive up to 100% reimbursement of the cost to adopt all-electric vehicles and equipment.
- Maximum reimbursement rates for the program:
- 100% of the incremental cost for governmental entities
- 75% of the incremental cost for non-governmental entities
- TCEQ projects that approximately $88 million will be available to award under this grant round.
- Funding will be allocated by Priority Area.
- This program is for ALL electric repower or replacement projects. Project categories include:
- Class 8 Local Freight and Port Drayage Trucks
- Class 4-8 School Bus, Shuttle Bus, Transit Bus
- Class 4-7 Local Freight Trucks
- Airport Ground Support Equipment
- Forklifts and Port Cargo Handling Equipment
Applicants purchasing eligible vehicles and equipment may request additional funding for refueling infrastructure. More information will be available at: VWsettle@tceq.texas.gov.
Although the program is not currently accepting applications, TCEQ encourages you to start preparing for this opportunity by considering the potential benefits of all-electric vehicles and equipment.
TCEQ will provide more updates as soon as they become available. In the meantime, you can reach out at 1-800-919-8377 or VWsettle@tceq.texas.gov with any questions.
New Funding Opportunity from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation released a $51 million Ride and Drive Electric Funding opportunity. The Ride and Drive Electric funding opportunity will advance the clean vehicle transition by:
- Enhancing EV charging resilience
- Providing equitable access and opportunity in electrification through community-driven models for EV charging deployment and workforce development
- Improving EV charging performance and reliability
Read the full Ride and Drive Electric Funding opportunity announcement here. The submission deadline for concept papers is June 16, 2023. Only applicants who have submitted an eligible concept paper will be eligible to submit a full application. The submission deadline for full applications is July 28, 2023.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO)’s fiscal year 2023 funding opportunity, totaling $99.5 million, will support projects to reduce soft costs to improve EV charging infrastructure in underserved communities, provide consumer education on EVs and EV charging, and develop batteries that use low-cost, abundant materials. This funding opportunity seeks the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups, and applicants are required to submit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plans describing actions taken to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, support people from underrepresented groups in STEM, and advance equity.
Read the full VTO Fiscal Year 2023 program wide FOA here. Applicants must submit a concept paper by June 26, 2023, and full applications are due on August 11, 2023.
Events
The use of lithium-ion batteries has surged in recent years, starting with electronics and expanding into many applications, including the growing electric and hybrid vehicle industry. But the technologies to optimize the recycling of these batteries have not kept pace.
The launch of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) first lithium-ion battery recycling center, called the ReCell Center, will help the United States grow a globally competitive recycling industry and reduce our reliance on foreign sources of battery materials.
Our stakeholders are invited to join our sister coalition, Columbia Willamette Clean Cities, in a Mindful Mobility Tech Talk to learn more about this critical topic.
Click here to register for the event.
Renewable Natural Gas and Renewable Propane
Lunch-and-Learn Webinar!
Co-hosts: Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance, Houston-Galveston Clean Cities and The Texas Natural Gas Foundation
The webinar will include discussion on:
- Overview of renewable natural gas and renewable propane
- Overview of renewable propane in fleets
- Fleet experiences using renewable natural gas and renewable propane
- Special Tax treatment of renewable natural gas and renewable propane
- Ample time for Q&A
When: August 23, 2023
12:00 to 12:45 CDT
12:00 to 12:45 CDT
Register: by August 22.
Test Drive AYRO’s newly released Vanish!
The AYRO Vanish is a utility low-speed electric vehicle (LSEV) addressing a market that falls between full size trucks and golf and utility carts. The vehicle offers highly adaptable bed configurations to support both light-duty and heavy-duty needs in a variety of applications.
Join LSCFA member AYRO for an exclusive opportunity to get behind the wheel of the 2023 AYRO Vanish. During this one-of-a-kind event, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive their newest vehicle, and their team of experts will be on hand to guide you through all the features and capabilities of the vehicle as well as answer any questions.
Join LSCFA member AYRO for an exclusive opportunity to get behind the wheel of the 2023 AYRO Vanish. During this one-of-a-kind event, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive their newest vehicle, and their team of experts will be on hand to guide you through all the features and capabilities of the vehicle as well as answer any questions.
Thank you to our members!
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