$4 million in incentives available for commercial electric urban delivery trucks

June 22, 2012                                                                                                                          12-151

For more information: Art James, ODOT EV Project, (503) 385-3293 or
Shelley M. Snow, Public Affairs, (503) 881-5362

 

$4 million in incentives now available for electric trucks

Program will encourage zero emissions in eligible communities

 

SALEM – The Oregon Department of Transportation announced today it is launching a new electric truck buyer incentive program. The funds – $4 million from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program – are aimed at encouraging the purchase of zero-emission urban delivery trucks in CMAQ-eligible communities in Oregon. CMAQ funding provides for projects in areas of the state that are in need of improving air quality for ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter; in Oregon, that includes the Portland metro area, the Rogue Valley, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Lakeview and Oakridge.

 

“This is a unique opportunity for us to continue shining the spotlight on our state as a leader and innovator in reducing greenhouse gas emissions brought on by the transportation sector,” said ODOT Director Matthew Garrett. “In addition to immediate and substantial air quality benefits, the state will get real-time data from program participants that will to help demonstrate the utility and economy of the new zero-emission trucks coming into the market.”

 

The Commercial Electric Truck Incentive Program (CETIP) will be offered in the form of $20,000 vouchers per eligible, all-electric vehicle over 10,000 pounds, regardless of manufacturer. The vouchers will be available to qualified purchasers to encourage mass adoption and support fleet conversion from diesel to electricity throughout Oregon.

 

By replacing the average diesel truck of this size with a zero emission alternative, more than a half million gallons of diesel fuel will be saved annually. In addition, vouchers used to purchase up to 200 electric trucks in the first year will result in an estimated reduction of 5,800 tons of greenhouse gases.

 

“Diesel emissions represent a significant risk for multiple health effects, ranging from asthma and lung cancer to heart disease,” said Dick Pedersen, director of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. “The diesel emissions eliminated by this program may be worth as much as $1.2 million a year in avoided direct and indirect public health and environmental costs.”

 

ODOT made the announcement at the EV Roadmap 5 workshop today in Portland, along with partners including Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, Energizing Oregon, Portland State University and Portland General Electric.

 

For more information about the CETIP program, visit ODOT’s website or contact the Office of Innovative Partnerships at (503) 986-3858.