Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations; Next Rounds Of Applications Due April 1, Oct. 7

On March 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the investment of more than $1.47 million through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program to help communities purchase alternative fuel vehicles, build infrastructure to support electric vehicles, save on fuel costs, and improve air quality across Pennsylvania.

The funding supports 12 local projects in Allegheny, Beaver, Franklin, Philadelphia and Washington counties.

“At a time when the price of gasoline is rising quickly, one of the easiest ways to save on gasoline is to use less of it, and these grants offer critical support for local governments, businesses, school districts, and nonprofit organizations to build and use reliable and efficient alternative fuel options,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Our commitment to lowering costs, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality for many Pennsylvania communities continues with the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program.”

The projects will deploy 47 alternative fuel vehicles and install three new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. 

Eleven projects are also located in or serve Environmental Justice (EJ) areas, and together the 12 projects selected will save an estimated 382,125 gallons of gasoline per year – or equivalent to $1.5 million per year at the current average price of gasoline in Pennsylvania.

The DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program supports projects to replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with cleaner fuel vehicles and install related fueling infrastructure to improve air quality in Pennsylvania. 

It builds on Governor Shapiro's agenda to create a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow Pennsylvania's economy, protect and create jobs, reduce costs, and address climate change.

In Pennsylvania, 47 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles, and transportation contributes up to 22 percent of Pennsylvania's overall greenhouse gas emissions.

AFIG priorities include zero emission vehicle projects; medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects; renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects; projects predominantly serving Environmental Justice areas; and minority, veteran, or woman-owned businesses.

Click Here for a list of projects funded.

Next Grant Rounds

The 2026 AFIG Program is currently accepting grant applications for its first round of funding until April 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM. 

The second acceptance period ends on October 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM 

For more information, visit DEP's Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program webpage.

Click Here for the DEP announcement.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA House Passes Bill To Expand Solar Energy Electric Generation To Warehouses, Distribution Centers  [PaEN]

-- PA Solar Center, Solar United Neighbors Are Putting Out The Call For Volunteers To Spread The Word For True Energy Independence For Pennsylvania!  [PaEN]  

-- PA Community Organizing Summit On A.I. Data Centers April 18 In Pittsburgh  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- The Citizens’ Voice: Northwest Area H.S. Students In Luzerne County Win Statewide Green Energy Competition, Move On To National Competition

-- TribLive: Solar Energy Project At Carlynton High School Will Power Most Of Building, Reducing Costs In Allegheny County

-- Technical.ly: PA Turnpike Built Its Own Data Center Powered By A Solar Microgrid With Energy To Spare

[Posted: March 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest