The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded more than $1.28 million in 2023 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to municipalities and businesses to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure.

The grant awarded funding to 13 projects.

Eleven projects will provide 25 electric and 23 compressed natural gas vehicles and two infrastructure projects will enable electric vehicle chargers at three locations.

These projects are estimated to save 95,555 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.

Eight projects are located in or serve environmental justice areas.

The funded project in Lehigh County is: Allentown Mack Sales & Service Inc: $40,000 for the purchase of one Class 6 EV truck.

In Pennsylvania, 47% of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles and transportation contributes up to 22% of Pennsylvania’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The AFIG program provides funding to help school districts, municipalities, businesses and nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania replace these older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric, renewable natural gas, compressed natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel or propane gas fueled vehicles.

It also funds installation of fueling equipment for these vehicles.

The funding program engages a diverse range of stakeholders in advancing sustainable transportation.

This includes Environmental Justice Areas, which DEP defines as a geographic area characterized by increased pollution burden and sensitive or vulnerable populations based on demographic and environmental data.

“Communities are investing in zero- and low- emission transportation because they recognize this is a pathway to cleaner air and better health,” DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said.

“This round of awarded projects to be deployed all across Pennsylvania includes a range of electric delivery trucks, passenger vehicles, tractors and more — with three new electric vehicle charging stations. DEP is committed to providing opportunities to deploy cleaner transportation alternatives which improve air quality and results in healthier communities.”