$285K awarded to Allentown, 2 businesses for electric vehicles and infrastructure

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Lehigh Valley city, along with two businesses, were awarded $285,000 in grants, part of a statewide effort to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure.

“Communities are investing in zero- and low-emission transportation because they recognize this is a pathway to cleaner air and better health,” said Jessica Shirley, acting secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection. “This round of awarded projects will help with the robust deployment of electric delivery trucks, passenger vehicles, semi-trailer trucks and more across Pennsylvania — along with the installation of three new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

“By providing opportunities to deploy cleaner transportation alternatives, DEP is affirming the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring Pennsylvanians have clean air to breath[e] and healthier communities as a result.”

Awarded through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant, or AFIG, there were 14 recipients for 16 projects, totaling $2.55 million, according to a news release.

In The Lehigh Valley, grantees included: $60,000 to Allentown for the purchase of eight Class 1 passenger EVs, $150,000 to Lineage Logistics Services for the purchase of two Class 8 EV terminal tractors, and $75,000 Carpenter Co. for the purchase of one Class 8 EV terminal tractor.

“In Pennsylvania, 47% of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles, and transportation contributes up to 22% of Pennsylvania’s overall greenhouse gas emissions,” according to the release. “The AFIG program provides funding to help school districts, municipalities, businesses and nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania replace these older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric, renewable natural gas (RNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, biodiesel, or propane gas fueled vehicles.”

“It also funds installation of fueling equipment for these vehicles.”

Air quality, EVs in the Lehigh Valley

The baseline air quality across the region is already poor because of the booming warehousing industry, contributing to heavier truck traffic and increased emissions.

The region emits 12.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or MTCO₂e, working out to about 14.7 MTCO₂e per resident, according to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s most recent assessment.

The industrial and transportation sectors are responsible for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, at 32.3% and 32.1%, respectively.

The push for electric vehicles has been a steady beat across the region for several years.

In July, officials announced a $208 million federal infusion to support Volvo Mack Trucks’ production of zero-emissions vehicles. A few months later, Lehigh Valley International Airport leaders said the airport was getting a fast-charging system designed for topping both electric cars and battery-powered planes.