The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has received a $400,000 alternative fuels vehicle conversion grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The funds will be used for components of 18 buses powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) that COTA will order in 2018 for delivery in early 2019.

In 2013, COTA committed to phasing diesel-powered vehicles out of its fleet, and completely transition to CNG by 2025. Today, 150 of COTA’s 321 buses are powered by CNG. COTA has saved approximately $10 million in fuel costs by transitioning to CNG since 2013.

Ohio EPA is offering one-time funding to help municipalities, schools and businesses convert diesel-powered heavy-duty fleet vehicles to run on cleaner burning alternative fuels. The program is supported by $5 million from the Alternative Fuel Transportation Fund of the Ohio Developmental Services Agency.

The grants awarded to date are providing more than $2.8 million to replace 141 vehicles with vehicles that run on CNG, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquid petroleum gas (LPG fuel such as propane or butane). These cleaner fuels and technologies help improve air quality by reducing diesel emissions.