The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has extended the application deadline for its Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program and broadened the fuel types that cities, counties, school districts and other governmental entities may choose when replacing older vehicles.
The changes, issued as Addendum 5 to the program and announced in a Sept. 4 news release, keep roughly $28 million in remaining grant money available for years longer and lift an all-electric requirement that had applied to public fleets. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Central time on Friday, Aug. 31, 2029, or until funds are no longer available, whichever comes first, with awards made on a first-come, first-served basis.
The most significant change involves eligible fuels, the agency said. Governmental entities replacing or repowering an on-road vehicle may now select a diesel or alternative fuel vehicle or engine in addition to an electric one. All new vehicles, equipment and engines must be certified to emit at least 25 percent less nitrogen oxides than the unit being replaced.
Grant amounts differ by applicant type. Governmental entities may request up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of replacing or repowering an on-road vehicle, non-road equipment or a freight switcher with an electric model or engine, and up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of an on-road replacement using diesel or alternative fuel. Non-governmental entities may request up to 75 percent of the incremental cost for electric replacements, and applicants choosing electric models may seek additional money for refueling infrastructure.
TCEQ defines a governmental entity as a state or local government agency — including a school district, municipality, city, county, special district, transit district, joint powers authority or port authority whose fleet was purchased with government funds — as well as a tribal government or native village. Non-governmental entities replacing an on-road vehicle must still choose an electric vehicle or engine, including hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric models, and non-road equipment and freight switchers must be replaced with electric equipment regardless of applicant type, the agency said.
Eligible vehicles and equipment include Class 8 local freight trucks and port drayage trucks, Class 4 through 8 school buses, shuttle buses and transit buses, Class 4 through 7 local freight trucks, airport ground support equipment, forklifts and port cargo handling equipment, and freight switcher locomotives.
Applications may be submitted electronically through TCEQ Send or by mail, according to the release, with eligibility requirements, forms and instructions posted at texasvwfund.org. Media contact Ricky Richter listed 833-215-8989 and vwsettle@tceq.texas.gov for applicants with questions.