California Energy Project Unveils Funding Program for Transit Agencies

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.

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:

• 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.”