Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
The 2022 AFIG Program is Now Closed
The 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program is no longer accepting applications. Round 1 awards will be announced shortly and Round 2 applications are currently being reviewed. The program will reopen in Spring of 2023.
AFIG 2022 Informational Webinar
The DEP Energy Programs Office held an informational webinar on the 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program at 2 PM EDT on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
This webinar is intended for all audiences interested in applying for the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG). The webinar provides an overview of the AFIG program, as well as information on eligibility, types of projects funded, how to apply, changes to the program for 2022, and application best practices.
Details and Instructions
About the 2022 AFIG Program
The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program has approximately $3 million in funding available to school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania that want to transition to cleaner fuel transportation.
Supported alternative fuels include electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, hydrogen, hythane, biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, and other advanced biofuels. Grant funding covers:
- Incremental costs related to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels;
- Incremental costs to purchase alternative fuel vehicles;
- Cost to purchase and install the necessary fleet-refueling or home-refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles;
- Cost to perform research, training, development, and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles.
New This Round
Vehicles
Applicants who’ve already converted a portion of their existing Pennsylvania fleet to alternative fuels may request the following grant amounts:
- If you’ve converted 1–25% of your existing fleet to alternative fuels, you may request up to 75% of the maximum award per vehicle.
- If you’ve converted 26–50% of your existing fleet to alternative fuels, you may request up to 50% of the maximum award per vehicle.
- If you’ve converted 51–75% of your existing fleet to alternative fuels, you may request up to 25% of the maximum award per vehicle.
- If you’ve converted 75% or more of your existing fleet to alternative fuels, you may request up to 10% of the maximum award per vehicle.
For the purposes of this solicitation, an existing Pennsylvania fleet is defined as the total number of Class 1 and 2 or Class 3+ vehicles at all of the applicant’s primary and subsidiary locations in Pennsylvania.
Fueling infrastructure
The AFIG program focuses on funding vehicle refueling projects that service medium-duty (class 3-6) and light-duty (class 1-2) vehicle fleets.
Funding for other types of refueling infrastructure projects may be available through the Driving PA Forward
DC Fast Charger grant and
Level 2 Rebate programs, and through PennDOT programs funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program and other Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.
All applicants need to complete and submit the Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form to ensure that every worker in Pennsylvania has a safe and healthy work environment and the protections afforded them through labor laws under
Executive Order 2021-06, Worker Protection and Investment (October 21, 2021). This form is available in the online application system.
Priorities for grant funding:
- Businesses whose headquarters or principal place of business are located in Pennsylvania;
- Zero emission vehicle projects;
- Medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects;
- Renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects;
- Projects located in or predominantly serving environmental justice areas;
- Minority-, veteran-, or woman-owned businesses.
DEP will award at least 20% of 2022 AFIG funding to the following entities, depending on applications received:
- Counties, townships, municipalities, or municipal authorities;
- Public school districts, including brick and mortar charter schools;
- Organizations registered as a 501(c)3 that provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type;
- Businesses that are registered with the Commonwealth as a Small Diverse Business or registered with one of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services approved third-party certifications; and
- Organizations that are county/local government supported or contracted to provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type.
Contact
For project and funding inquiries, please contact: Josh Dziubek, Energy Programs Office, at
jdziubek@pa.gov or (717) 705-0374.
For updates on the AFIG program, sign up for the AFIG mailing list at
RA-AFIG@pa.gov.
About the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program
The AFIG Program was established under Act 166 of 1992 to help create new markets for alternative fuels in Pennsylvania, increasing energy security and improving air quality.
The program invests in the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, fleets, refueling infrastructure, and technologies, as funded projects build markets for advanced, renewable, and alternative energy transportation technologies. The intent is to provide a stimulus for opportunities that better manage Pennsylvania's fuel resources in a way that also improves the environment, supports economic development, and enhances quality of life in Pennsylvania.
Annual Reports
Success Stories
Please see our profiles on
Nelson Business Enterprises and
Pocono Mountain School District. These are just two of many AFIG-funded clean transportation project success stories. More are under development.
“Scranton is known as the Electric City, and we strive to earn that name again over the coming years. We're grateful for these DEP funds, which will help us build toward our goal of a more sustainable energy future.” -- Mayor Paige Cognetti, on the first AFIG funding provided to the City of Scranton for electric vehicles and chargers
"Delaware County is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions through the development of a holistic sustainability and climate action plan. Investing in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure is a critical part of this plan.” – Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke, on receiving a grant for the largest fleet electrification project the AFIG program has supported to date
“Allegheny County has been converting our vehicle fleet to electric since early 2020 to reduce tailpipe emissions and air pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. We’ve been fortunate to have received multiple AFIG awards that have supported our efforts, and look forward to continuing to partner with the Department of Environmental Protection, and joining so many other entities in the transition to cleaner vehicles.” – Sustainability Manager Brittany Prischak
Helpful Tools for Applicants
Electric Vehicles in Pennsylvania Fact Sheet (PDF)
2021 Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Roadmap (PDF)
Alternative Fuels Map
This map shows locations of electric vehicle charging and compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, and E85 (gasoline containing 85% ethanol) refueling stations in Pennsylvania that were supported by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth Finance Authority, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and private funds.
Alternative Fuel Refueling Sites
Find locations in Pennsylvania, or across the country, that offer the following alternative fuel types: compressed natural gas, liquified propane gas, electric charging, liquified natural gas, ethanol (e85), and methanol (m85).
Alternative Fuels Data Center
This site lists vehicles available from manufacturers, national refueling information, emission reduction demonstration studies, and more information.
Fleet Buyer's Guide
A website designed to help you understand and acquire AFVs.
Fuel Economy Site
The U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have jointly developed a new website that allows consumers easy access to fuel economy data.
Vehicle Cost Calculator
Use this calculator from the U.S. Department of Energy to compare alternative fuel vehicles with their gasoline-only counterparts.