Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition
Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition Participants, November 2017 Meeting
Every year, more states and cities around the country are promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs), as they increasingly see the value of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for new economic opportunities. The DEP Energy Programs Office partnered with stakeholders statewide in 2016 to form the Drive Electric PA Coalition and develop strategies to increase use of EVs by state and local government agencies, businesses, industry, and individual consumers in Pennsylvania. Through a process coordinated by an expert transportation consultant (supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program), the Coalition identified barriers to EV use in Pennsylvania and the most effective ways to overcome them.
Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Roadmap
DEP and the Drive Electric PA Coalition published the "Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Roadmap" (PDF) in 2019. It reviews the state of the electric vehicle market in Pennsylvania, presents a set of proposed strategies to support the expansion of the EV market, and estimates the potential benefits and impacts to the state from an increased EV market. The roadmap is designed to inform policymakers, business owners, and other decision-makers interested in supporting EV growth in Pennsylvania.
Electric Vehicle Roadmap: 2021 Update
DEP, PennDOT, and other Coalition members are working to implement the recommendations identified in the Roadmap. For highlights on progress made, more actions that can be taken, and a summary of the current electric vehicle market in Pennsylvania, all in an easy-to-use booklet format, see the Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Roadmap: 2021 Update (PDF)
Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap: 2024 Update
DEP is working with the Drive Electric PA Coalition to develop the Zero Emissions Roadmap 2.0. This roadmap will build upon the successes in the first Roadmap (2019/updated in 2021) and expand the scope to include not only light-duty electric vehicles but medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The final ZEV Roadmap 2.0 will map out specific, implementable strategies aimed to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of transportation electrification in Pennsylvania. A draft report is expected mid-2024.
Connect with the Coalition
The Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition includes state and municipal government officials, Clean Cities Coalitions, EV businesses and consultants, transportation organizations, electric utilities, environmental groups, auto companies, individuals, and other interested stakeholders.
Coalition Meetings
The Drive Electric PA Coalition meets at least three times a year, and meetings are open to the public. If you'd like to be informed about upcoming meetings, please contact Geoff Bristow of the DEP Energy Programs Office at gbristow@pa.gov or 814-332-6681.
Next Meeting:
- June 6, 2024
Previous meeting: February 28, 2024
The February 28, 2024 DEPA Coalition meeting was held via video conference. The meeting included EV updates from PennDOT and PADEP and the balance of the meeting focused Pennsylvania DEP’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap. DEP’s ZEV Roadmap contractor, ICF, presented their draft fleet modeling results including inputs from light-duty, medium and heavy duty and hydrogen vehicles. Draft preliminary strategies for expanding EV adoption were presented, based on input received to date. DEP/ICF solicited feedback on these strategies, the modeling and any additional ideas for strategies to consider including in the roadmap
- June 6, 2024 Agenda (PDF)
- February 28, 2024 Presentation (PDF)
- ICF ZEV Roadmap Presentation 2.28.24 (PDF)
- December 7, 2023 Presentation (PDF)
- ICF ZEV Roadmap Presentation 12.7.23 (PDF)
- Mentimeter Survey Results 12.7.23 (PDF)
Electric School Buses
Benefits of Electric School Buses
- Zero tailpipe pollution -- students, drivers, and members of the community will be exposed to significantly less harmful diesel emissions like PM and NOX
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel school buses
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Less brake wear due to regenerative braking and no engine or exhaust system maintenance
- Potential for reduced fuel costs compared to diesel depending on electricity costs
- Quiet, clean operation
What is DEP doing?
DEP hosted several Electric School Bus Educational Workshops to inform school districts and transportation companies about the substantial financial incentives available for electrification. These education sessions covered the benefits of electric school buses, grants, rebates and tax incentives available, total cost of ownership, maintenance and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. See slides from the Educational Workshops below:
Electric School Bus Essentials and Funding Opportunities Presentation (PDF)
Electric School Bus Technologies Presentation (PDF)
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Presentation (PDF)
DEP is providing one on one technical assistance to a select number of school districts that expressed interest in electrification during our workshop series this winter. DEP will be sharing lessons learned at the conclusion of the technical assistance in Summer 2024.
EPA Electric School Bus Resources
New Electric School Bus Grant Opportunity
EPA anticipates awarding up to $932 million in competitive grant funding under the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. Approximately $650 million dollars will be directed to school districts and non-profit transportation companies interested in electrifying their bus fleets. This opportunity is separate from the Clean School Bus program that many schools are already familiar with.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has partnered with ERG to host an educational webinar session on the new 2024 EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles (CHDV) Grant Program. This is new funding opportunity is available to school districts and nonprofit transportation companies. This webinar will focus on the grant competition’s School Bus Sub-Program to fund the replacement of traditional Class 6 and Class 7 school buses with zero-emission options. This webinar will provide an overview of the grant program and discuss topics including eligible vehicle replacements, infrastructure support, workforce development and training, implementation costs, application processes, and other applicable federal tax credits.
The webinar is available here (MP4)
EPA Clean School Bus Program
With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program provides $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. For more information see EPA’s Clean School Bus website:
Clean School Bus Program | U.S. EPA
To stay informed about EPA’s Electric School Bus Program announcements, click the link below and sign up for the EPA’s Clean School Bus Listserv.