The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) announced 12 awardees Tuesday for its first-ever round of Fleet Zero-Emission Resource Opportunity (Fleet-ZERO) grant program funding, totaling $2.36 million in awards. The Fleet-ZERO program aims to accelerate the transition to electric vehicle (EV) fleets in Colorado by funding necessary charging infrastructure to support fleet EV deployments.
This funding will enable the installation of 126 charging ports at 22 locations across the state, supporting at least 150 fleet EVs and 10 electric transport refrigeration units (eTRUs) over the next two years. This includes some of the first electric heavy-duty tractors, eTRUs, refuse haulers, recycling trucks, shuttles, armored delivery vehicles, and rental trucks in the state.
"This first round of ongoing funding from the Fleet-ZERO program represents a significant milestone for zero-emission fleets in Colorado," said CEO Infrastructure Program Manager Matt Lerman. "On average, fleet vehicles drive more miles, operate longer, and contribute a disproportionate amount of greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. We are excited about this important opportunity to support charging infrastructure for Colorado fleets, ensuring a more swift transition to fleet EVs and improving air quality for Coloradans across the state." Widespread adoption of electric vehicles is a key strategy to reduce pollution from Colorado's transportation sector, which is currently the leading source of greenhouse gas pollution in the state. Fleet-ZERO funding, along with funding from the State health department's Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program, will facilitate the implementation of the Colorado Clean Truck Strategy and help achieve the State's goals of 940,000 light-duty electric vehicles and 35,000 zero-emission medium- and heavy- duty vehicles on the road by 2030. Funding for this program comes from the State's Community Access Enterprise and the federal Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program.
Grant awardees include local governments, private businesses, a state agency, and a public university. CEO will provide funding to support the following fleet EV charging infrastructure projects:
- Allied Waste Transportation, Inc.: Five dual port direct current fast-chargers (DCFC) to support electric refuse trucks at two locations
- City & County of Denver: Four dual port DCFC to support electric refuse trucks at two locations
- City of Arvada: Nine dual port level 2 (L2) chargers to support light-duty electric fleet vehicles at three locations
- City of Grand Junction: Two dual port L2 chargers and one single port DCFC to support electric cargo vans and an electric recycling truck at one location
- Colorado Department of Corrections: Five dual port L2 chargers to support light-duty electric fleet vehicles at four locations
- Inspiration EnergyCo, LLC: One single-port L2 charger and three dual port DCFC for charging-as-a-service to support electrification of zTrip's taxi fleet
- Loomis Armored US, LLC: Nine dual port DCFC to support armored electric delivery trucks
- Penske Truck Leasing: Six dual port DCFC to support medium- and heavy-duty electric rental trucks-as-a-service at two locations
- Pitkin County: Three dual port DCFC to support electric public safety and operations vehicles, electric commuter fleet vehicles, and heavy-duty electric equipment at three locations
- Sysco Denver: 10 dual port DCFC to support electric heavy-duty tractors and eTRUs
- United Parcel Service: 10 single port L2 chargers to support electric delivery trucks
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs: Two single port L2 chargers to support electric shuttle buses
To ensure the air quality impacts of this program benefit Coloradans with the highest exposure to harmful air pollution from transportation, CEO prioritizes funding for projects located and operating in disproportionately impacted communities. CEO also offers additional cost coverage to make fleet EV charging infrastructure more affordable and accessible to Qualifying Entities.
CEO will continue to award Fleet-ZERO funding over the next decade, with $3 million allocated for the next standard funding round, which will open October 16, 2023 and close December 1, 2023 at 5:00 PM MT. A rolling application is also open year-round for Qualifying Entities requesting $50,000 or less. More information is available on the Fleet-ZERO webpage.
Contact
Office of Governor Jared Polis
Ari Rosenblum ari.rosenblum@state.co.us (720) 910-1190
Click here to read the full press release.
