Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Alternative Fuel and Idle Reduction Grants

The North Carolina Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) provides grants to repower, replace, and convert eligible on- and off-road vehicles and equipment to alternative fuels and fuel-efficient technology. Equipment must be U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or California Air Resources Board verified. For more information, including a list of eligible technologies, see the DEQ Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions Grant website.

Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Fund

The North Carolina State Energy Office administers the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) Credit Banking and Selling Program, which enables the state to generate funds from the sale of EPAct 1992 credits. The funds that EPAct credit sales generate are deposited into the Alternative Fuel Revolving Fund (Fund) for state agencies to offset the incremental costs of purchasing biodiesel blends of at least 20% (B20) or ethanol blends of at least 85% (E85), developing alternative fueling infrastructure, and purchasing AFVs and hybrid electric vehicles. Funds are distributed to state departments, institutions, and agencies in proportion to the number of EPAct credits generated by each. For the purposes of this program, alternative fuels include 100% biodiesel (B100), biodiesel blends of at least B20, ethanol blends of at least E85, compressed natural gas, propane, and electricity. The Fund also covers additional projects approved by the Energy Policy Council. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 143-58.4, 143-58.5, 143-341, and 136-28.13)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV), Idle Reduction Technologies, and Diesel Retrofits Funding

The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) project provides grant funding to reduce transportation-related emissions for areas in nonattainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. A project that is adjacent to these areas may also be eligible for funding if the project will reduce emissions in eligible counties. For more information, including current requests for proposals, see the CFAT website.

Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Reduction Funding

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Diesel Bus and Vehicle Programs provide funding for heavy-duty on-road new diesel or alternative fuel vehicles or engine repowers and replacements, as well as off-road repowers and replacements. Both government and non-government entities that own and operate diesel fleets and equipment are eligible for funding. Vehicles and equipment that qualify for replacement or repower include:

• Class 4-8 school buses, shuttle buses, and transit buses;
• Class 4-8 local freight trucks, ferries, forklifts, and freight switchers; and
• Class 8 local freight trucks and port drayage trucks.

This program is funded by North Carolina’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including funding availability, see the DEQ Diesel Bus and Vehicle Programs website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Funding

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Level 2 Infrastructure Grant Program and Zero Emission Vehicle Direct Current Fast Charge (DCFC) Infrastructure Program and Level 2 Infrastructure Program provides funding for the purchase and installation of public and private Level 2 EV charging stations and public DCFC stations. This program is funded by North Carolina’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including funding amounts and availability, see the DEQ Volkswagen Settlement website.

North Carolina's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office by August 1, 2022, describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. Plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about North Carolina’s NEVI planning process, see the NCDOT NEVI website. For more information about North Carolina’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office’s State Plans for EV Charging website.