ST. LOUIS – The United States Environmental Protection Agency tentatively selected 70 applicants including St. Louis Public Schools’ application to receive funding for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, infrastructure, and workforce development projects. 

What You Need To Know

  • SLPS requested 30 zero-emission buses to replace 30 of their diesel buses

  • $10,128,735 in funding for clean buses was made possible by the EPA’s first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program

  • The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program was created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
  • Projects, like SLPS’s new buses, are expected to be complete in two to three years depending on the scope of the project

SLPS requested 30 zero-emission buses to replace 30 of their diesel buses. The $10,128,735 in funding for these buses was made possible by the EPA’s first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. SLPS looks to reduce their emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases with the new buses. They also are planning a public-private partnership with Highland Electric Fleets for implementation of the project and assurance of cost-effective use of the EPA funding. 

“We commend St. Louis Public Schools’ dedication to replace 30 diesel buses with zero-emission vehicles,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meghan A. McCollister. “Their efforts demonstrate a significant commitment to their students and community by promoting a cleaner, greener future.”

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program was created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

“Thanks to President Biden, we are accelerating American leadership in developing clean technologies that address the impacts of climate change,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant projects announced today will slash air pollution and enhance the country’s infrastructure for cleaner transportation solutions, creating good-paying jobs along the way.”

According to the EPA, over three million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use across the United States. A number of the vehicles in use are older and emit higher levels of harmful pollutants than the newer vehicles. 

EPA says pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease especially in children, older adults, and those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease. People of a lower socioeconomic status are more vulnerable to the health impacts of pollution. The grant program intends to accelerate cleaning up pollution from heavy-duty vehicles to ensure safe air for 72 million Americans living near truck freight routes. Older vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that pre-date recent EPA emission standards are eligible for replacement.

Proposed Replacement Vehicles

  • Battery-electric box trucks

  • Cargo trucks

  • Emergency vehicles

  • Refuse/recycling haulers

  • School buses

  • Shuttle buses

  • Step vans

  • Transit buses

  • Utility vehicles

  • Other vocational vehicles

  • Hydrogen fuel-cell transit buses

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will also fund zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging stations, workforce development and training. 

70% of the funds awarded by EPA on December 11, 2024 will work toward purchasing clean school buses. 

EPA says the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, a plan to deliver 40% of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are further marginalized by pollution. The EPA prioritized these communities facing air quality concerns. The applicants were evaluated on their engagement with affected communities so EPA knew the funds would result in meaningful projects.

$523 million of the funds EPA announced are intended to be used on projects for communities located in areas in non-attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The EPA and the Department of Labor expect to begin a new grant program to improve the workforce development ecosystem. The grant program will prepare workers to maintain and repair zero-emission vehicles through curriculum development.