METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California Energy Project Unveils Funding Program for Transit Agencies

Administered by CALSTART and partner Tetra Tech, the EnergIIZE Project will offer $11.4 million in total infrastructure incentives for transit agencies.

California Energy Project Unveils Funding Program for Transit Agencies

Fleets that drive out of central depots can install and access charging infrastructure convenient to their operations.  

Photo: Canva/METRO

2 min to read


The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Project announced the opening of a funding lane for transit agencies.

Administered by CALSTART and partner Tetra Tech, the EnergIIZE Project will offer $11.4 million in total infrastructure incentives for transit agencies.

Ad Loading...

Funding Lane for Transit

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

Transit agencies are ideal for zero-emission technologies as they operate largely in urban areas where noise and pollution from internal combustion engines are of great concern.

Fleets that drive out of central depots can install and access charging infrastructure convenient to their operations.  

By helping California transit agencies deploy more zero-emission transit vehicles and their charging infrastructure, 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:

Ad Loading...
  • Agencies that are compliant with the California Air Resources Board (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 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.” 

More Zero Emissions

Rows of MTA's Long Island Railroad (LIRR) commuter rail cars.

New York Awards $4.5M for Zero-Emission Microtransit and Bike Access Projects

NYSERDA funding will support electric microtransit and secure bike storage to improve first- and last-mile connections across downstate New York.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
A SunLine clean air bus at a stop.
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 10, 2026

U.S. Zero-Emission Bus Adoption Surpasses 8,000 Vehicles

CALSTART’s latest Zeroing in on ZEBs report shows continued nationwide growth despite supply-chain challenges. The group’s Deputy Director of Transit, Mike Hynes, talked to METRO about how agencies are adapting procurement strategies, fleet plans, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An LA Metro clean air articulated bus
Zero EmissionsMarch 9, 2026

California’s Push Against Federal Headwinds to Reach 100% Zero-Emission Transit Goals

Even amid shifts in federal funding, California continues to advance its zero-emission agenda, enforcing and funding its regulatory framework despite federal obstacles.

Read More →
A Mountain Line bus
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 4, 2026

BetterFleet’s Dan Hilson on the Mountain Line Contract and Intelligent Charge Management

Mountain Line selected BetterFleet’s charge-management and fleet-operations platform to support its nearly all-electric bus fleet and future electrification plans.

Read More →
A white Chesco Connect paratransit bus parked outside.
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesFebruary 9, 2026

Why Chester County Chose Propane To Power Its Demand-Response Transit Fleet

See how the county’s Chesco Connect system is replacing its buses with propane autogas to cut costs, reduce emissions, and support high-demand paratransit operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
King County Metro electric buses made by GILLIG.
Busby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Seattle's King County Metro Introduces New Battery-Electric Buses

Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.

Read More →
A black, white, and light purple graphic with an image of a BAE Systems hybrid electric bus and text reading "Re-Examining Hybrid Buses in Transit."
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesJanuary 19, 2026

Why Some Transit Agencies Are Re-Examining Hybrid Buses

As zero-emission goals advance, hybrid buses remain part of fleet strategies, offering reliability and operational flexibility.

Read More →
Zero Emissionsby StaffJanuary 14, 2026

California's VVTA Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses, Fueling Station, and Brand Refresh

The introduction of hydrogen fuel cell buses represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions while maintaining reliable, high-quality transit service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsDecember 24, 2025

Biz Briefs: Electric Paratransit Buses in San Francisco and More

Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

Read More →