$4.5 M in Backing Accessible for Alternative Fuel Market Readiness

The Energy Department today announced up to $4.5 million to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles through the Clean Cities program, including plug-in electric, natural gas, propane, and flexible fuel vehicles. Through consumer outreach, training, and strategic planning, these investments will increase America's economic, energy, and environmental security. Concept papers to apply for this backing are required and due on Aug. 1, 2014. Full applications are due Oct. 1, 2014. Learn more in the full announcement.

This backing will support 7 to fifteen deployment plans in 3 major areas: on-the-road demonstrations, safety-related training, and emergency preparedness.

The 1st area of backing focuses on increasing the number of drivers that can experience alternative fuel vehicles first-hand. Plans in this area will help potential buyers drive these vehicles for extended periods of time and gather data about their experiences. By increasing access to these vehicles through car-sharing, rental car, and commercial fleet leasing programs, more drivers will understand their benefits and be more likely to purchase them.

Plans under the 2nd area of backing will develop and/or deliver training on alternative fuel vehicles to emergency 1st responders, public safety officials, and automotive technicians. This area may fund in-person workshops and online training courses to educate these vital personnel on safely handling and responding to incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles.

The 3rd area of backing will support efforts to incorporate alternative fuels into city, state, and regional emergency management plans. Because natural disasters often interrupt gasoline and diesel fuel supplies, alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure can be valuable resources for disaster relief and emergency response teams.

Applicants must register with and submit application materials through the Backing Opportunity Exchange, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's application portal. For additional information about this Backing opportunity, visit the listing on the Backing Opportunity Exchange for DEFOA0000951: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Deployment Initiatives.

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.