The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced an up-to-$17 million grant solicitation for the On-Road Advanced Technology Demonstrations Project approved by the board as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17 Funding Plan for Low Carbon Transportation and Fuels Investments and the Air Quality Improvement Program.
According to CARB, the funding will provide greenhouse-gas, criteria pollutant and
toxic air contaminant emission-reduction benefits to disadvantaged communities. Along
with the separate Off-Road Advanced Technology Demonstration Project, it is part of a
$34 million allocation for advanced technology freight demonstrations. Solicitations for
each FY 2016-17 demonstration project will be released separately, CARB says.
Projects funded under this solicitation will demonstrate pre-commercial intelligent
transportation systems and connected trucks, advanced engines and powertrains,
and zero-emission short and regional haul trucks.
As noted, CARB is currently funding a 43-truck demonstration of zero- and near-zero emission Class 8 drayage trucks. No fuel cell trucks were funded under the FY 2014-15 drayage truck solicitation, so therefore, this current funding category requires a focus on fuel cell demonstrations in short and regional haul trucks to push the development of zero- emission technologies in the heavier truck categories with longer ranges.
Eligible vehicle types will be limited to Class 7 and Class 8 on-road heavy-duty trucks focused on freight activities.
California-based public agencies such as air districts, ports, and local government
entities or agencies, as well as California-based nonprofits with expertise
implementing large-scale advanced technology demonstration projects and the requisite
knowledge of advanced technology truck operations, may apply.
Applications are due to CARB by 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 16.
CARB will hold an applicant teleconference to answer questions regarding this grant
solicitation on June 15, providing an opportunity for potential applicants to ask clarifying questions regarding general application requirements.
