Funded Projects

2024 Projects to Advance Clean Transportation Across America

Fifteen projects were selected for a total of $18.6 million to drive innovation in equitable clean transportation and provide first responders with the tools they need to properly respond to calls involving zero emission vehicles. Projects will partner with over 45 of DOE’s Clean Cities and Communities across more than 30 states to implement clean transportation projects in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The new investments support partnerships with local coalitions to provide outreach and technical assistance training to local communities, safety training and resources for emergency responders transitioning to zero-emission and electric vehicles, and support for demonstration and deployment of innovative clean transportation technologies. (Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. DOE and the applicants will first undergo a negotiation, and DOE may cancel award negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason.) For more information, see the press release and list of projects.

2023 Projects to Advance Transportation Electrification

Sixteen projects were selected for a total of $32.5 million to advance technology integration in areas critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. The selected projects will focus on expanding electric vehicle (EV) deployment and supporting EV charging infrastructure by reducing installation costs, educating consumers, and implementing regional deployment. (Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. DOE and the applicants will first undergo a negotiation, and DOE may cancel award negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason.) For more information, see the press release and list of projects.

2022 Projects for the Electrification of America's Transportation Sector

Thirty-five projects were selected for a total of $47 million to advance production of next-generation electric vehicle technologies, train the future electrified transportation workforce, and ensure the equitable deployment of clean mobility options in disadvantaged communities. (Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. DOE and the applicants will first undergo a negotiation, and DOE may cancel award negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason.) For more information, see the press release and list of projects.

2021 Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projects

Twenty projects were awarded a total of $71 million for research, development, and demonstration projects with industry, academia, and non-profits including Clean Cities Coalitions for the creation of solutions to reducing emissions for on- and off-road vehicles and accelerating the expansion of EV infrastructure and charging. These projects were selected as part of the 2021 Low Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Technologies Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment Funding Opportunity Announcement.

2020 Innovative Vehicle Technologies Projects

Thirty projects were selected as part of the 2020 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research Funding Opportunity Announcement. These projects will increase demonstrations and infrastructure for advanced technology vehicles by building partnerships for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure and by integrating alternative fuel vehicles and fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities.

2019 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research

These projects, funded through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, address priorities in advanced batteries and electric drive systems, co-optimized engine and fuel technologies, materials for more efficient powertrains, and alternative fuels and new energy efficient mobility systems. These projects support the Energy Department’s goals to strengthen national security, support American energy dominance, enable future economic growth, and increase transportation affordability for all Americans.

2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications

These projects focus on new and innovative research of technologies for trucks, off-road vehicles, and the fuels that power them. Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), these projects highlight the DOE’s priorities in gaseous fuels research, including natural gas, biopower, and hydrogen; heavy-duty freight electrification; hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell technologies for heavy-duty applications; and energy efficient off-road vehicles.

2018 Vehicle Technologies Program-Wide Research Projects

Sixteen projects were selected under Technology Integration (Area of Interest 3) of the 2018 Vehicle Technologies Program-Wide funding opportunity announcement. The projects will bring together key stakeholders, including Clean Cities coalitions, in partnerships to provide data on the impact of mobility services and solutions through real-world testing and validation. The data, analysis, and insights from this work will help inform mobility research needs as well as near- and long-term transportation planning that maximizes energy efficiency and affordability.

2017 Community-Based Advanced Transportation Projects

Five projects were selected under a 2017 vehicle technologies-focused funding opportunity. The community-based projects focus on energy efficient mobility systems including connected and autonomous vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure including natural gas, propane, biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity. Three "living labs" projects test new ideas, collect data, and inform research on energy efficient transportation technologies and systems. Two additional alternative fuel community partner projects bring together more than 20 diverse partners including communities, businesses, fleets and Clean Cities coalitions.

2016 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Community Partner Projects

Two projects were selected under Area 3 of the 2016 Vehicle Technologies Multi-topic funding opportunity announcement. These projects were awarded in 2017 and will significantly accelerate the use of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles that operate on alternative fuels, as well as the supporting fueling infrastructure. Led by community-based partnerships between state and local governments and key private sector stakeholders, these projects will help catalyze alternative fuel use nationwide through the collection and sharing of best practices and lessons learned.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workplace Safety Programs

Two projects were selected under Area 10 of the 2016 Vehicle Technologies Program-Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement. These projects will provide safety training and guidance related to maintenance and garage facility upgrades and building modifications that will support the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The projects are focused only on facilities with Energy Policy Act (EPAct) defined natural gas, propane, and hydrogen vehicle refueling infrastructure.

Plug‐In Electric Vehicle Local Showcases

Three projects were selected under Area 1 of the 2016 Vehicle Technologies Program-Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement. These projects will promote and demonstrate plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) use by establishing local showcases that provide a hands-on consumer experience and in-depth education in a conveniently located, brand-neutral setting. The projects will help promote the use of PEVs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve fuel.

Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Procurement Aggregating Initiatives

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy announced awards for two projects totaling to support aggregate purchasing models for plug-in electric and other alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, subsystems, components, alternative fuels, and refueling/charging infrastructure. Through these two awards, the Aggregated Alternative Technology Alliance and CALSTART will coordinate aggregate purchasing among national and regional partners to maximize their collective buying power. These projects will address two major barriers to the growth in production and sales of alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies: manufacturers' uncertainty around demand and buyers' high up-front costs. Awardees will work with fleets and other buyers to consolidate orders and develop best practices for procurement aggregating initiatives.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Deployment Initiatives

In 2015, Clean Cities distributed 11 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Deployment Initiative Project Awards totaling $6 million. These projects will help improve potential buyers' experiences with alternative fuel and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), support training, and integrate alternative fuels into emergency planning.

Alternative Fuel Market Project Awards

In 2013, Clean Cities distributed 20 Alternative Fuel Market Project Awards totaling $11.1 million. These projects will help communities increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Community Readiness

In 2011, DOE announced awards for 16 electric vehicle projects totaling $8.5 million. These projects, in 24 states and the District of Columbia, helped communities prepare for PEVs and charging infrastructure. Through these awards, local public-private partnerships collaborated on plans to deploy electric vehicles, a strategy that helps conserve fuel and build a clean transportation future. Depending on local needs, each awardee created a PEV community readiness plan that includes activities such as streamlining permitting processes, revising codes, training emergency personnel, educating the public, and developing incentives.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Project Awards

In 2009, DOE announced the selection of 25 cost-share projects under Clean Cities that were funded with nearly $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These projects have sped the transformation of the nation's vehicle fleet, putting more than 9,000 alternative fuel and energy efficient vehicles on the road, and established 542 refueling locations across the country. DOE has estimated they will conserve approximately 38 million gallons of conventional fuel per year.

In 2009, DOE also announced the recipients of 23 cost-shared grants for Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector (Areas of Interest 1-3). The project awards, which totaled approximately $13.6 million, funded infrastructure, vehicle, and educational projects that increase availability and awareness of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. Grants provided a more than two-to-one leverage in funding, meaning every federal dollar spent was matched by at least two dollars from the project partners.