Driving PA Forward

Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most significant air quality challenges facing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Driving PA Forward grant and rebate programs were developed to improve air quality statewide by driving transformation from older, high-polluting diesel engines to clean transportation technologies.

New engine technologies, including electric, compressed natural gas, propane, and clean diesel significantly reduce pollutants from freight and delivery trucks, transit and school buses, port cargo handling equipment, forklifts, tugboats, and freight switchers that rely on older diesel technology.

Clean air is the cornerstone of a clean, healthy environment. When Volkswagen cheated on its emissions equipment, it undermined that cornerstone. Through our new Driving PA Forward initiative, we will begin to remedy that by driving the transition towards advanced zero-emission and low-emission vehicles and accelerating the build-out of infrastructure necessary to support the next generation of transportation options.

According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) 2017 National Emissions Inventory, mobile sources (transportation) account for more than half of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions in Pennsylvania (50.2 percent). NOx is a precursor in the formation of ground level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). At elevated levels, ground level ozone and PM2.5 adversely affect the environment and human health.

Health effects include premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, aggravated asthma, and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing. At elevated levels, these pollutants damage vegetation, the diversity of ecosystems and building facades and monuments.

The goal of the Driving PA Forward Initiative is to substantially and permanently reduce lifetime NOx emissions from mobile sources of diesel emissions. Of the mobile source NOx emissions, diesel sources, including aviation, marine, and rail sources, account for almost 57 percent of the mobile source NOx emissions.

The transportation sector accounts for over 52 percent of total oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions in the United States. When NOx and volatile organic compounds combine in the presence of sunlight, ground level ozone is formed. Emissions of NOx can also act as precursors to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Both ozone and PM2.5 pose significant risk to the health of the public and the welfare of the environment.

Breathing ozone can create a variety of health problems, especially for children, the elderly, and others with lung diseases such as asthma. Air containing ozone also affects people who are active outdoors, particularly those that work outside. Breathing ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath, and can reduce lung function and harm lung tissue. It can worsen bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema, and make the lungs more susceptible to infection. This leads to increased medical care, missed work and school, and the need for medication. For more information, see:  EPA’s Health Effects of Ozone Pollution.  For information on ozone nonattainment or maintenance areas in Pennsylvania, see  EPA's Nonattainment for Criteria Pollutants (Green Book). 

Exposure to PM2.5 can also create health problems, particularly for people with heart or lung disease, children, and older adults. Some impacts of PM2.5 exposure include premature death in people with heart or lung disease, heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other symptoms of respiratory distress such as irritation of airways, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. For more information, see  EPA's Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM).  For information on PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance areas in or maintenance areas in Pennsylvania, see  EPA's Nonattainment for Criteria Pollutants (Green Book). 

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s 2021 Asthma Prevalence Report, in their lifetime, one out of every six adult Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with asthma. The American Lung Association estimated that asthma cost Americans approximately $60 billion in 2019- mostly due to costs associated with medical care, prescription medicines, and indirect costs like lost pay and commercial/industrial productivity.

• There are estimated to be 306,930 children in Pennsylvania who reported receiving an asthma diagnosis at some point in their lifetime.
• As of 2019, approximately one in eight children and one in six adult Pennsylvanians reported an asthma diagnosis at some point in their lifetime. This is currently higher than the per-capita asthma rate for the entire U.S.
• Lifetime asthma prevalence is highest among individuals living in low-income communities with an average, annual household income of less than $15,000. In many instances, low-income communities are located near high-pollution areas such as industrial/manufacturing facilities, freight distribution centers, railyards, and transportation corridors.

For more information, see  Pennsylvania Department of Health Asthma Fact Sheet 2021  or  Pennsylvania Department of Health Asthma Prevalence Report .

Over $118 million from the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust has been set aside for transportation related projects that reduce NOx emissions from diesel engines.

• Class 4-8 Local Freight Trucks and Port Drayage Trucks
• Class 4-8 School Buses, Shuttle Buses, or Transit Buses
• Freight Switcher Locomotives
• Ferries/Tugs
• Airport Ground Support Equipment
• Forklifts and Port Cargo Handling Equipment
• Light Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Supply Equipment (Level 2 and/or DC Fast Chargers)
• Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Option: PA State Clean Diesel Program

This  Beneficiary Mitigation Plan for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  summarizes how Pennsylvania plans to use the funds allocated to it under the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries (State Trust Agreement), in the case, In Re: Volkswagen "Clean Diesel" Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation.

For additional information on the litigation, the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement and State Mitigation Trust Fund, or the Volkswagen Zero Emission Vehicle Fund,  visit DEP’s Volkswagen homepage  or click on the links below.

•  Volkswagen Litigation 
•  Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement 
•  Volkswagen Zero Emission Vehicle Fund 

As of July 1, 2022, Driving PA Forward awarded over $70 million to nearly 1,100 diesel emissions reduction projects throughout Pennsylvania. Many of these projects are complete and already bringing real, tangible benefits and air quality improvements to communities across the Commonwealth.

Moreover, these completed projects have catalyzed additional diesel emissions reductions projects, as fleet operators and other stakeholders realize the environmental, health, and financial benefits to making similar fleet transitions. A great example of what the Driving PA Forward Program is doing to improve air quality in PA is this  recently completed grant-funded project in Chambersburg, Franklin County .

Of the $70 million awarded to-date, Driving PA Forward has already funded the installation of over 1,700 electric vehicle (EV) charging plugs in communities and along travel corridors, across the Commonwealth. By building out Pennsylvania’s network of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, Driving PA Forward is not just helping to expand a reliable charging network for existing light-duty EVs, but also encouraging large-scale adoption of light- to heavy-duty battery-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. 

For more information on the status of the Driving PA Forward Initiative and individual funding Programs, please read the  Driving PA Forward Interim Report .

Since the launch of the Driving PA Forward Initiative in 2018, consumers have demonstrated increasing interest in zero-emission transportation, and transportation markets in the Commonwealth have begun responding. With rising awareness of the growing climate change crisis and degraded air quality in their communities, many Pennsylvanians are starting to demand cleaner, more efficient zero-emission vehicle purchase options- not only for light-duty passenger cars and trucks, but also for medium- and heavy-duty commercial, industrial, and municipal vehicles. This is especially true for high-polluting, older diesel vehicles operating in priority areas, such as Environmental Justice Areas, which bear a disproportionate share of excessive diesel emissions from mobile sources in Pennsylvania.

Building on the continuing successes of the Driving PA Forward Initiative - and in response to the increased public demand to transition away from traditionally-fueled trucks to zero-emission technologies - the Wolf administration developed the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle (MHD-ZEV) Fleet Pilot Grant Program.

Medium- & and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emissions (MHD-ZEV) Fleet Pilot Grant Program Initiative

DEP offered this $12.7 million competitive grant initiative to replace aging fleets of diesel-powered medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) local freight trucks with new zero-emission MHD local freight trucks, with top priority given to projects that serve Environmental Justice communities. For this grant, the term “local” is defined as operating predominantly within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Replacing aging diesel fleets with new zero-emission vehicles will reduce emissions by as much as 100 percent, helping to significantly improve air quality in communities that currently have some of the poorest air quality in Pennsylvania. It will also lead to savings in vehicle lifetime operating costs for fleet owners and operators.

Model year 1992–2009 Class 4–8 local freight trucks that operate predominantly in Pennsylvania are eligible for replacement. Eligible project vehicles must be replaced with new zero-emission trucks of similar class and vocation. After completing the project vehicle replacement phase, successful grantees will be required to collect operational data for their new zero-emission fleet vehicles for two years and provide the data to DEP for analysis. Funding applications will be evaluated and prioritized based on (but not limited to) the following criteria:

• Applicant status as a business, non-profit, government entity, planning organization, and Act 47 designee. An applicant’s performance for previous grant and rebate awards will also be considered.
• Proposed project fleet size and the degree to which the applicant will pilot new MHD-ZEV technologies in their operations.
• Project location, with priority given to areas that experience high levels of pollution – Environmental Justice Areas, EPA priority counties (National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or NAAQS), and high traffic density areas.
• Projected diesel emission reductions from the proposed project, with the focus being on NOx reductions.
• Cost-effectiveness of the project, in terms of grant dollars requested per ton of expected lifetime NOx reductions.
• Remaining useful life of the proposed project fleet vehicles, based on the applicant’s normal attrition schedule. Higher remaining useful life of vehicles leads to higher lifetime NOx reductions, and an increased cost-effectiveness score.
• The degree to which the applicant proposes to utilize Pennsylvania-based vendors and labor to complete their project.
• The quality and thoroughness of the applicant’s data collection and reporting plans.

Vehicles being replaced must be scrapped in accordance with Program Guidelines. Maximum reimbursement rates are defined in the Program Guidelines and in the Reimbursement Table linked below.

For more detailed information on the all-new MHD-ZEV Fleet Grant review the Program Guidelines and watch the short informational webinar posted below.

No Funds Remaining – All funds have been awarded or committed. Applications no longer being accepted.

•  Program Guidelines  
•   Application Instructions  
•   eGrants Login Page 

Maximum percentage of reimbursement amounts, per vehicle

Truck and Bus Fleet Grant Program

Approximately $16 million was allocated over a 5-year period to fund a competitive grant program to replace or repower fleets of 6 or more GVWR-Class 4-8 trucks, port drayage trucks, school buses, shuttle buses, and/or transit buses. Replacing or repowering vehicles containing older diesel engines with new technology can reduce emissions by up to 99%.

Model Years 1992 - 2009 Class 4-8 Local Freight Trucks (incl. drayage), and Model Year 2009 and older School Buses, Shuttle Buses, and Transit Buses are eligible for:

• Repower with new diesel, electric or alternative fuel
• Replacement with new diesel, electric or alternative fuel

Projects were scored and prioritized on the following criteria:

• Location - with priority for areas that experience high pollution levels
• Total NOx reductions
• Size of fleet
• Match contributions
• Cost effectiveness
• Transformative nature of proposed project – positive impact on organization and surrounding communities

Vehicles or engines being replaced or repowered must be scrapped in accordance with Program Guidelines. Maximum reimbursement rates are defined in the Program Guidelines.

NO FUNDS REMAINING – All funds have been awarded or committed. Applications no longer being accepted.

•  Program Guidelines 
•  Application Instructions 
•  eGrants Login Page 

 Click here to view an overview presentation for the CY2020 program .

Maximum Percentage of Reimbursement Amounts Per Vehicle

Onroad Rebate Program - Trucks and Buses

Approximately $30 million was allocated over a 5-year period to fund rebates for projects that replace or repower single or fleets of 5 or fewer vehicles, which are GVWR-Class 4-8 trucks, port drayage trucks, school buses, shuttle buses, and/or transit buses. Replacing or repowering vehicles containing older diesel engines with new technology can reduce emissions by up to 99%.

Trucks

Model Years 1992 - 2009 Class 4-8 trucks and Port Drayage trucks are eligible for rebates for:

• Repower with new diesel, electric or alternative fuel
• Replacement with new diesel, electric or alternative fuel

Buses

Model Years 2009 or older Class 4-8 School Buses, Shuttle Buses and Transit Buses are eligible for rebates for:

• Repower with new diesel, electric or alternative fuel
• Replacement with new diesel, electric or alternative fuel

Vehicles or engines being replaced or repowered must be scrapped in accordance with Program Guidelines. All rebate-funded projects must be approved in advance by DEP. Complete applications that meet eligibility criteria will receive approval to proceed with their project on a first come, first served basis. Maximum rebates amounts will be defined in Program Guidelines.

~Final Round of Onroad Rebate Funding~ The CYs 2023 - 2024 application period opened for applications on November 24, 2023, with $6.1 million available. The application period will remain open until all funds are exhausted. This rebate application solicitation will be the last for this funding program, as no funds will remain after this round.

Program Update: Due to several large-dollar Onroad Rebate vouchers expiring without being redeemed, previously committed funds are now available to award.  As of March 1, 2025, $1.0 million in uncommitted funds remain available. Contact the Driving PA Forward Initiative for more information: Email –  RA-EPVWMITIGATION@pa.gov ; Phone – (717) 787-9495.

•  Program Guidelines 
•  Application Instructions 
•  Rebate Calculation Worksheet 
•  eGrants Login Page 

 Click here to view an overview presentation for this program. 

Maximum Percentage of Reimbursement Amounts Per Vehicle

Electric Cargo Handling Grant Program

Approximately $6 million was allocated over a 5-year period to fund a competitive grant program for forklifts, airport ground support equipment (GSE) and port cargo handling equipment. Transitioning from older, higher-polluting diesel equipment to electric equipment can reduce maintenance costs as well as drastically improve air quality.

The following diesel-powered equipment are eligible for repowers or replacements with full-electric only:        

• Forklifts - with greater than 8,000-pound lift capacity
• Airport GSE - *Tier 0-2
• Port Cargo Equipment - gantry cranes, straddle carriers, shuttle carriers, and terminal tractors

*  Information on the EPA’s Tier 0-4 rating system for non-road diesel engines can be found here .

Projects were scored and prioritized on the following criteria:

• Location - with priority for areas that experience high pollution levels
• Total NOx reductions
• Match contributions
• Cost effectiveness

Eligible vehicles, engines, or equipment that are replaced:

• Must be scrapped in accordance with Program Guidelines;
• Must have been in the applicant’s fleet and used for its intended purpose for the three years prior to the application date;
• Must operate predominantly in Pennsylvania; and
• Must have at least three years of useful life remaining based on the applicant’s normal attrition schedule.

No Funds Remaining – All funds have been awarded or committed. Applications no longer being accepted.

•  Program Guidelines 
•  Application Instructions 
•  eGrants Login Page 

Overview presentation for CY21 coming soon.

Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program

Approximately $34 million was allocated over a 5-year period to fund a competitive grant program for ferries, tugboats, and freight switchers. Large reductions in NOx emissions will occur in this category by repowering or replacing older diesel engines with new technology.

Ferries and Tugboats

*Unregulated, Tier 1, or Tier 2 ferries or tugboats are eligible to apply for grant funding for:

• Repower with a Tier 3 or Tier 4 diesel engine, alternative fuel engine, or with all-electric engines.
• Upgrade with an EPA Certified Remanufacturer System or an EPA Verified Engine Upgrade

*  Information on the EPA’s Tier 0-4 rating system for marine diesel engines can be found here. 

Freight Switchers

*Pre-Tier 4 freight switchers that operate at least 1,000 hours per year are eligible for grant funding for:

• Repower with any new EPA or CARB-certified diesel, alternative fuel, or all-electric engine, including generator sets
• Replace with any new EPA or CARB-certified diesel, alternative fuel, or all-electric freight switcher, including generator sets

*  Information on the EPA’s Tier 0-4 rating system for locomotive diesel engines can be found here .

Projects were scored and prioritized on the following criteria:

• Location - with priority for areas that experience high pollution levels
• Total NOx reductions
• Size of fleet
• Match contributions
• Cost effectiveness
• Transformative nature of proposed project; positive impact on organization and surrounding communities

Equipment or engines being replaced or repowered must be scrapped in accordance with Program Guidelines. For engine upgrades, scrappage is not required for the full engine but funding recipients should ensure proper disposal of any components that are upgraded.

The CYs 2023-2024 application solicitation was planned to open in February 2024, with approximately $8 million available. However, the remaining funds in this program were re-allocated to fund additional projects under the CYs 22-23 MHD-ZEV Fleet Pilot Grant. Applications no longer being accepted.

•  Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program Guidelines 
•  Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program Application Instructions 
•  eGrants Login Page 

Overview presentation for CY22 coming soon.

PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program

The Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant Program is a competitive grant program for a wide variety of diesel emission reduction projects. This program is funded in part through an allocation from the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) disbursed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Approximately $9 million was allocated from Volkswagen settlement monies to be used as match funding for the program, making Pennsylvania eligible for additional federal DERA funds.

Emission Reduction Technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Exhaust controls
• Engine upgrades
• Engine and vehicle replacement
• Idle reduction technologies
• Aerodynamic technologies

Vehicles or engines being replaced or repowered must be scrapped in accordance with Program Guidelines.

**IMPORTANT PROGRAM UPDATE** The opening of the federal fiscal years (FFYs) 2023-2024 Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant is delayed, and will open in April 2025. There is approximately $4.0 million available to award in the current program, however, additional grant funds and incentives may be added just prior to opening. Please continue monitoring this webpage and the PA Bulletin for a public posting of the application opening date and program updates.

This grant opportunity is funded jointly, using both Volkswagen settlement and DERA State Grant funds (U.S. EPA). Project period for approved FFYs 2023-2024 Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grants will be (12) months, with extension requests evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Contact the Driving PA Forward Initiative for more information: Email –  RA-EPVWMITIGATION@pa.gov ; Phone – (717) 787-9495.

•  PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program Guidelines 
•  PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program Application Instructions 
•  eGrants Login Page 

 Click here to view a recording of the February 19, 2020 webinar. 

DC Fast Charging and Hydrogen Fueling Grant Program

Approximately $8.5 million was allocated over a 5-year period to fund a competitive grant program for acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of electric vehicle (EV) fast charging equipment and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle supply equipment.

This grant program is designed to assist with the installation or expansion of strategically significant zero emission vehicle (ZEV) fueling projects.

EV fast chargers must be available to the public and installed in:

• Community Charging Hubs
• Transportation Corridors
• Destination Locations

Hydrogen fuel cell refueling stations must be available to the public.

Projects were scored and prioritized on the following criteria:

• Strategic Location – with priority for areas that experience high pollution levels
• Contribution to existing or planned fueling networks
• Expected usage levels
• Cost-effectiveness
• Match contributions
• Technical viability

NO FUNDS REMAINING – All funds have been awarded or committed. Applications no longer being accepted.

•  Program Guidelines 
•  Application Instructions 
•  Planned DC Fast Charging and Hydrogen Fueling Stations 
•  eGrants Login Page 

 Click here to view an overview presentation for this program .

Level 2 EV Charging Rebate Program

Approximately $10 million was allocated over a 5-year period from 2018-2023 to fund a rebate program for the installation of Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to increase charging availability for Pennsylvania consumers.

Rebates were provided for Level 2 EV charging equipment for:

• Public use at government owned property
• Public use at non-government owned property
• Non-public use at work places
• Non-public use at multi-unit dwellings

PA organizations were provided rebate vouchers on a first come, first served basis. Over the duration of the rebate program, DEP received over 1,300 project applications, which will result in the installation of over 2,800 Level 2 charging plugs across the Commonwealth at locations ranging from supermarkets to hotels and apartment complexes.

NO FUNDS REMAINING – All funds have been committed. Applications no longer being accepted.

DEP recommends that those installing EV charging equipment inquire into the  Federal Tax Credit  currently available, for potential, additional funding for their EV charging projects.

For information on current and past year grant and rebate awards under these programs, visit the  Grant and Rebate Awards webpage .