ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The city has been awarded $60,423 to install electric vehicle chargers for city inspection vehicles.
The grant is part of a $3.47 million statewide effort to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure.
The funding, awarded through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant, or AFIG, is earmarked to pay for eight Level 2 electric vehicle chargers, according to a news release from the state Department of Environment Protection.
“The awards will save an estimated 1,262,825 gallons of gasoline per year.”Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
“We are committed to increasing sustainable and renewable energy," state DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said.
"And these grants will help local governments, businesses, school districts and nonprofit organizations invest in alternative fuel solutions that are reliable, efficient and often cheaper to operate.
“AFIG aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for many Pennsylvania communities with the use of electric school buses, Renewable Natural Gas [RNG] trucks, electric charging stations, and other clean transportation alternatives.”
There were 27 grantees this round — with Allentown the only Lehigh Valley city to be awarded funding — that will cover 94 alternative fuel vehicles and seven new fueling stations.
“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, officials said.
“The awards will save an estimated 1,262,825 gallons of gasoline per year.”
Previous EV funding
This is the second round of AFIG funding the city has received in less than a year.
In December, DEP officials announced the city was awarded $60,000 through the AFIG to buy eight Class 1 passenger EVs.
Last week, during a regular meeting of the city Environmental Advisory Committee, Allentown Sustainability Coordinator Veronika Vostinak said the city is moving forward with the EV pilot, with plans to buy seven vehicles.
Tax credits are set to expire Sept. 30, so the purchase is expected to go before City Council next month.
City Council would need to vote to allocate the grant, as well as move some money from the general fund, Vostinak said.
It was unclear how much money would need to come from the city.
