Expired, Repealed, and Archived Pennsylvania Incentives and Laws
The following is a list of expired, repealed, and archived incentives, laws, regulations, funding opportunities, or other initiatives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, advanced technologies, or air quality.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Infrastructure Grants
Archived: 10/13/2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers competitive grants for the acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of publicly available direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Grant reimbursements are awarded after project completion in the following amounts:
| Project Type | Maximum Reimbursement | Maximum per Award |
|---|---|---|
| DCFC Stations | Up to 60% reimbursement | $250,000 |
| DCFC Stations Corridor Expansion Projects | Up to 65% reimbursement | $250,000 |
| Hydrogen Fueling - at least 250 kg/day | Up to 33% reimbursement | $500,000 |
| Hydrogen Fueling - at least 100 kg/day | Up to 25% reimbursement | $500,000 |
Eligible project locations are transportation corridors, destination locations, and locations that serve as community charging or fueling hubs. This program is funded by Pennsylvania’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and instructions, see the DEP Driving Pennsylvania Forward website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate
Archived: 09/22/2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers rebates for the acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of Level 2 EV charging stations. Eligible projects must be on publicly accessible government-owned or non-government-owned property, at workplaces, or at multi-unit dwellings that are not publicly accessible. Rebates are awarded in the following amounts:
| Project Type | Maximum Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| Public Access, Government Owned Property | $4,000 per port or up to 70% of total project costs |
| Public Access, Non-Government Property | $3,500 per port or up to 60% of total project costs |
| Multi-Unit Dwelling | $3,000 per port or up to 50% of total project costs |
| Other Eligible Projects | $2,500 per port or up to 40% of total project costs |
DEP must approve all project applications and processes rebates on a first-come, first-served basis, until funds are exhausted. This program is funded by Pennsylvania’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and instructions, see the DEP Driving Pennsylvania Forward website.
Regional Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)
Archived: 11/19/2021
Delaware, District of Columbia (D.C.), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia signed a Declaration of Intent to create the TCI, a regional initiative to improve transportation, develop a clean energy economy, and reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants from the transportation sector. The signatory states and D.C. agree to explore and develop policies and programs that result in greater energy efficiency of regional transportation systems and reduce emissions. Additionally, states support the deployment of clean vehicles and fueling infrastructure, such as electric vehicle supply equipment, to maximize the economic opportunities and emissions reductions. For more information, see the TCI website.
Heavy-Duty Truck and Transit Bus Grants
Archived: 11/10/2020
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection offers competitive grants for the replacement or repower of Class 8 local freight trucks and transit buses. Model Years (MY) 1992 through 2009 local freight trucks and MY 2009 and older transit buses will be eligible for replacement or repower with new diesel, electric, or alternative fuel vehicles or technologies. Grant reimbursements are available in the following amounts:
| Project Type | Fuel/Technology | Government Applicant Cost Share | Non-Government Applicant Cost Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repower | Diesel or Alternative Fuel | Up to 90% reimbursement | Up to 40% reimbursement |
| Repower | Electric | Up to 90% reimbursement | Up to 75% reimbursement |
| Replacement | Diesel or Alternative Fuel | Up to 90% reimbursement | Up to 25% reimbursement |
| Replacement | Electric | Up to 90% reimbursement | Up to 75% reimbursement |
Vehicles or engines being replaced or repowered must be scrapped in accordance with program guidelines. This grant program is funded by Pennsylvania's portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines, grant amounts, and application periods, see the Driving Pennsylvania Forward website.
Clean Diesel Grant Program
Expired: 09/30/2018
The Pennsylvania Clean Diesel Grant Program is a competitive grant program for the reimbursement of diesel transportation emission reduction projects. Eligible emission reduction technologies include, but are not limited to, exhaust controls, engine upgrades, engine and vehicle replacement, idle reduction technologies, and aerodynamic technologies. Vehicles and engines that are replaced or repowered must be scrapped based on program guidelines. This grant program is funded by Pennsylvania's portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines and application instructions, see the Driving Pennsylvania Forward website.
Alternative Fuel Development and Deployment Grants
Archived: 10/01/2016
The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) provides grants of up to $1,000,000 for alternative energy projects and research related to deployment projects or manufacturing. PEDA funding is available for projects involving biomass, fuel cells, and clean and alternative fuels for transportation, and may be used for equipment purchases, construction, contractor expenses, and engineering design necessary for construction or installation. Pure research is not eligible for funding. The PEDA grant program is currently closed and no longer accepting applications, but interested applicants may sign up for notifications about the program status via the PEDA website (verified November 2015). For more information, refer to the PEDA website.
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Production Support and Procurement
Archived: 04/01/2016
In 2011, Pennsylvania joined Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to stimulate the production and demand for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) NGVs. The MOU aims to encourage OEMs to offer functional and affordable light- and medium-duty NGVs, aggregate state vehicle procurement through a joint request for proposals (RFP), boost private investment in natural gas fueling infrastructure, and encourage greater coordination between state and local agencies. In 2012, the National Association of State Procurement Officials coordinated the solicitation of a joint RFP, which the Oklahoma Department of Central Services (DCS) issued on behalf of the MOU signatories and additional states. As a result, state fleets have access to more affordable NGVs through dealerships now included in state vehicle purchasing bids. For more information, including awarded vehicles by state and vehicle purchase information for state fleets, see the DCS Statewide Contract for NGVs solicitation page.
Idle Reduction Loans
Archived: 11/01/2015
The Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program provides low interest rate loans to small businesses undertaking projects in Pennsylvania that reduce waste, pollution, or energy use, including the purchase of truck auxiliary power units. Loans are available for 75% of the total eligible project costs. The maximum loan amount is $100,000 within any 12-month period. The loan has a 2% fixed rate and a maximum term of 10 years. For more information, refer to the Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program website.
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Grants
Archived: 11/01/2015
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection administers the Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program, which provides funding to eligible municipal and commercial fleets for the purchase or conversion of dedicated or bi-fuel NGVs. Eligible vehicles must have gross vehicle weight ratings of at least 14,000 pounds. Competitive grants are capped at 50% of the incremental or conversion cost, up to $25,000 per vehicle. Grants may not be used for project development, fueling stations, or other fueling infrastructure. Eligible applicants include Commonwealth or municipal authorities, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, non-profit entities, for-profit companies, local transportation organizations, and state-owned or state-related universities. Funding for grants has been allocated to the through fiscal year 2015 with portions set aside specifically for local transportation agencies through 2014 (verified October 2014). For more information, refer to the Natural Gas Vehicle Program website. (Reference Title 58 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 27, Sections 2701-2704)
Alternative Fuel Project Grants
Archived: 11/30/2013
The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant seeks to deploy cleaner energy sources by providing funding for alternative energy projects, including those involving clean, alternative fuels for transportation. Projects must address both energy and environmental concerns; projects that are primarily education, outreach, feasibility, assessment, planning, or research and development are not eligible. Eligible applicants include an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that is also registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations; county or municipal government; county conservation district; Council of Governments; a school, school district, college or university; or an incorporated watershed organization recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This grant program is currently closed but interested applicants may sign up for notifications about the program status via the Energy Harvest website (verified October 2011).
Alternative Fuel and Transportation Review Board
Archived: 12/01/2012
The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) was established to review and adopt rules and regulations designed to reduce emissions from motor vehicles, including the use of alternative fuel vehicles, vehicle miles traveled reductions, and other transportation control strategies. (Reference Title 35 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 23, Section 4005)
Alternative Fuel Production Tax Credits
Archived: 01/01/2012
The Alternative Energy Production Tax Credit Program provides a credit of 15%, up to $1 million per taxpayer, of the net cost of projects related to the production of alternative fuels and the research and development of technology to provide alternative fuels. An eligible applicant must develop or construct an alternative energy production project located in Pennsylvania that has a minimum useful life of four years. Funding is contingent upon annual legislative appropriations. As of October 2011, the program is closed but may reopen in the future. (Reference Title 73 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 18G, Section 1649.701-1649.711)
Biodiesel Production Refund
Expired: 06/30/2011
Biodiesel producers with a production capacity of at least 25,000 gallons may apply for a $0.75 per gallon refund for biodiesel produced for commercial purposes, through June 30, 2011. Individual producers may not receive more than $1.9 million in incentives in any one fiscal year. The biodiesel must meet ASTM D6751, D75, or D3699 standards. (Reference Title 73 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 18E, Section 1647.3.1)
Energy Independence Strategy
Archived: 10/01/2010
The PennSecurity Fuels Initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign oil by replacing 900 million gallons of the Commonwealth's transportation fuels with alternative sources over the next decade. The Initiative requires that retail transportation fuels contain a certain percentage of biodiesel or ethanol, and it also invests $30 million in existing funds from the Commonwealth's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program to build alternative fuel production and fueling infrastructure by 2011. The initiative also includes the creation of incentives that open new markets to Pennsylvania farmers who grow the feedstocks used to produce ethanol and biodiesel, and the creation of safeguards against alternative fuel price increases. For more information on the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative see the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor website.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Promotion
Archived: 10/01/2010
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urges auto manufacturers to develop and produce PHEVs for consumer use. (Reference House Resolution 106, 2007)
Renewable Agricultural Energy Council
Archived: 10/01/2010
The Governor’s Renewable Agricultural Energy Council was established to make recommendations to the Governor on policies, regulations, and legislation that will aid in the development of renewable energy. The Governor has appointed four experts in agricultural energy (including ethanol and biodiesel) to the Council. (Reference Title 4 Pennsylvania Code 6.231-6.240)
Idle Reduction Equipment Funding
Expired: 01/01/2009
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Small Business Anti-Idling Initiative provides funding to help independent truckers and small trucking companies purchase anti-idling technology. Participants must qualify as small businesses (with a fleet size of less than 50 trucks) and be located in Pennsylvania or Delaware. Program financing is available to help owners purchase and install auxiliary power units (APUs) that provide both heating and cooling; the maximum amount of funding available per applicant is $3,000. Disbursements will be made to awardees after the following tasks are completed: 1) submission of baseline data and installation of an APU, 2) submission of a six month data report, and 3) submission of a 12 month data report. The initiative is funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association, and project approval is dependent on annual funding allocations.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebates
Expired: 11/01/2005
The Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Program (GPCCP) has Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funding available for AFV rebates. The Clean Fueled Fleets Grant is designed to offer up to 72% of the incremental cost of purchasing AFVs. Up to $4,000 is available for light duty AFVs, up to $7,000 is available for medium duty AFVs, and up to $10,000 is available for heavy duty AFVs. Additionally, some of GPCCP's rebates also cover the costs of installing and purchasing AFV refueling stations. To qualify for these rebates, applicants must become members of the GPCCP and complete and sign an application, agreeing to certain terms and conditions, such as monitoring fuel use.