Feature
$14M Available for Upgrading to Propane Bobtails & Service Trucks
Last month, the Texas Propane Gas Association highlighted the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program, a statewide incentive program available through the state for newly purchased or converted propane light duty vehicles.
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This month, the Association wants to highlight another state grant vehicle program that provides larger grant amounts. Over $14M is available from the State of Texas in over one-third of Texas counties to switch your fleet or your custom-
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
ers’ fleet to propane autogas. This funding will expire during the first quarter of 2021, and if renewed by the Legislature in 2021 they will probably not be available again until fourth quarter of 2021 or even into 2022. If you are thinking about buying a new propane-powered service truck or bobtail in the next year or two, and you operate in a qualifying area, you should consider applying for one of these first-come, firstserved grants available through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Texas Emissions Reduction Plan. While several programs in the past have been competitive, there are a couple that are not. You qualify if you have between 18 to 24 months to make your official purchase after you get the greenlight from TCEQ on your grant application. Of all the TCEQ TERP programs currently available, the non-competitive first-come, first-served grant that makes the most sense financially is the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP). Do not let the name deceive you. The Texas Propane Gas Association was successful in getting propane included in this during the Legislative Session that took place in 2017. New propane vehicle purchases with a GVWR over 8,501 lbs. are eligible with replacing a gasoline or diesel vehicle in the same weight class. To make it even easier the Propane Council of Texas offers complimentary grant consultation and writing through a PERC-funded docket. Over the last two years, ProCOT has been successful in leveraging millions of dollars in grants for propane retailers, school districts and other fleets. Just to reiterate. The grant landscape has changed. For years, many of these grants were competitive and some still are, but both the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program and Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program are first-come, first-served and you would be offered a grant offer before your purchase was made.
