HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is awarding 16 applicants more than $39.6 million, funded by the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries, to replace diesel-fueled fleets with zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) as a part of the 2022-2023 Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant.
Part of the Driving PA Forward program, this grant was developed under the Shapiro administration to improve air quality statewide by driving transformation from older, high-polluting diesel engines to clean transportation technologies.
“Clean air is crucial in ensuring a healthy environment,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “That’s why we see it as our mission to address one of the most significant air quality challenges facing our Commonwealth—emissions from transportation. These recommendations mark the highest-dollar awards in any round, for any Driving PA Forward Initiative funding program, showing a step forward in Pennsylvania’s effort in reducing these emissions by getting more clean trucks on the road in the communities that need them.”
DEP is awarding $39,605,578.58 to 16 applicants for the battery-electric replacement of dozens of vehicles, including home delivery trucks, refuse/recycling trucks, terminal tractors, and the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle replacement of two terminal tractors and their supporting charging infrastructure.
The 2022-2023 Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant also focuses on funding projects located in underserved and disproportionately impacted communities, such as Environmental Justice and Act 47-designated communities.
Applicants awarded funding include:
Borough of Munhall – $1,681,008
- Replace (3) eligible Class 8 refuse collection trucks with (3) battery-electric refuse trucks
- Install (1) DC fast charger with (3) charging plugs
City of Chester – $1,575,074
- Replace (3) eligible Class 8 refuse collection trucks with BEVs
- Install (1) DC fast charger and (2) Level 2 EV charging plugs
City of Erie – $3,120,000
- Replace (5) eligible Class 8 refuse collection trucks with BEVs
- Install (1) Level 2 and (3) DC fast EV chargers
Day & Ross USA Inc. – $1,883,161
- Replace (5) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs
- Install (2) DC fast EV chargers
Freight Equipment Leasing LLC – $2,162,177
- Replace (6) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs
- Install (4) DC fast EV chargers
Legend Equipment Leasing LLC – $2,304,394
- Replace (5) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs
- Install (3) DC fast EV chargers
Loomis Armored US LLC – $1,322,109
- Replace (6) eligible Class 6 armored trucks with BEV trucks
- Install (3) EV chargers
Pennsylvania State University – $3,305,011
- Replace (5) eligible Class 6 and Class 7 box trucks with BEV box trucks
- Install (4) DC fast EV chargers and one Level 2 EV charging plug at (3) home-base locations across the main campus
PGT Holdings Inc. – $3,289,500
- Replace (10) eligible Class 8 short-haul tractors with (8) battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and (2) hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)
- Install (8) DC fast charger plugs and will maintain (2) mobile hydrogen fueling units
Pro Disposal Inc. – $6,190,500
- Replace (16) eligible Class 8 refuse trucks with BEVs
- Install (16) DC fast charging plugs
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority – $1,684,462
- Replace (6) eligible freight and delivery trucks with BEV trucks
- Install supporting EV charging infrastructure
SQ Trucking, Inc. – $523,221
- Replace (4) eligible Class 4/5 home delivery step vans with battery-electric vehicles (BEV)
Sysco Leasing LLC – $3,975,000
- Replace (10) eligible Class 8, short-haul, semi-tractors with BEVs
- Install (10) DC fast charging plugs
Tri-County Industries Inc. – $2,785,505
- Replace (5) eligible Class 8 refuse trucks with BEVs
- Install (3) Level 2 EV chargers and (1) DC fast EV charger
Watsontown Trucking Co. – $1,799,620
- Replace (5) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs
- Install (2) DC fast EV chargers
Wilsbach Distributors, Inc. – $2,004,833
- Replace (5) eligible beverage delivery vehicles with BEVs
- Install (2) DC fast EV chargers
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Erica N. Guy decided to stay in her hometown to begin her professional career in journalism. Since obtaining her bachelor’s degree from UAPB, Erica has professionally written for several publications about several topics ranging from lifestyle, tech, culture, and entertainment, just to name a few. Continuing her love for her hometown, she joined our team in June 2023, where she is currently a staff writer. Her career goals include continuing storytelling through her writing by being the best professional writer she can be. In her spare time, Erica enjoys trying new foods, cozying up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, and establishing herself as a future businesswoman.
I wish it were just $40.00! How are these EV’s working out in the Midwest? After the recent cold snap where most EV owners couldn’t charge the vehicle, I bet they weren’t puffed up with pride in trying to save the environment. EV’s are not like a chicken in every pot, but more like a pot with a piece of slimy rotting government pork, covered in maggots. These companies will rue the day that they took that money. Mark my words.
Let’s go with $40M instead. Thanks for alerting us to the typo!