The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved about $15 million in new grants to help fund alternative fuel vehicle projects in the state.
North American Repower LLC has received $3 million to demonstrate the efficiency and viability of six armored security trucks converted from diesel fuel to plug-in hybrid electric-renewable natural gas.
According to the CEC, security protocols typically require armored vehicles to leave their engines running during each scheduled stop, which burns fuel and emits pollutants. The demonstration vehicles, which have near-zero emissions, will operate in an all-electric mode during stop-and-go usage and in hybrid mode during continuous vehicle operation.
North American Repower will operate in Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Transportation Power Inc. has received nearly $9 million for three separate projects: a heavy-duty electric garbage truck in the Sacramento region, an advanced battery electric truck in San Diego County, and a heavy-duty electric yard tractor in the Central Valley.
Motiv Power Systems Inc., meanwhile, has received nearly $3 million to demonstrate an electric refuse and loader truck and will operate in the Sacramento region.
The CEC awarded the new grants under its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. The program provides as much as $100 million annually toward innovative transportation and fuel technologies that help California meet its energy, clean-air and climate-change goals.
