The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced up to $85 million in competitive grant funds through its Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program.
The Low-No Program helps project sponsors purchase or lease low- or no-emission vehicles that use advanced technologies for transit revenue operations, including related equipment or facilities.
As defined by the FTA, proposed vehicles must have “greater reductions in energy consumption and harmful emissions, including direct carbon emissions, than comparable standard buses or other low- or no-emission buses.” Examples include, but are not limited to, hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric buses. Vehicles powered by compressed natural gas or propane autogas are eligible, but they may not be “rated as highly” as other projects with lower emissions, says the FTA.
“U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and the U.S. Department of Transportation are committed to improving safety, rebuilding our transportation infrastructure, and preparing for the future with new technologies,” says Jane Williams, acting administrator of the FTA. “The Low-No Program supports these priorities.”
FTA will award the grants to eligible recipients, including public transit agencies, state transportation departments and tribes, on a competitive basis. Projects will be evaluated by criteria such as an applicant’s demonstration of need, the project’s benefits, the project’s implementation strategy and the capacity for implementing the project.
Complete proposals must be submitted by May 14. More information can be found here.
