In a significant move towards a more sustainable future, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has awarded $8.2 million in state incentives to assist companies in Texas in purchasing 51 electric trucks. This substantial investment marks an important milestone for the environment, communities, and businesses in the state.
The TCEQ’s funding for electric vehicles comes as a result of coordinated efforts by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and industry partners to secure funding for zero-emission trucks under the Texas Clean Fleet Program. This initiative aligns with the rising national momentum to transition towards electric vehicles, further accelerated by the availability of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Texas has demonstrated a strong commitment to electric vehicle manufacturing, with $2.2 billion of announced investments and the creation of at least 4,600 jobs by almost 50 Texas-based EV supply chain companies. Texas is already leading in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) truck manufacturing in several ways:
- Navistar in San Antonio has pledged that half of the trucks they manufacture in Texas will be zero-emission by 2030.
- Peterbilt in Denton is already producing its 579EV regional electric trucks for distribution across the country.
- Hyliion, based in the Austin area, is testing a new hybrid zero-emission truck with a fully-electric drivetrain and a range of 1,000 miles.
The transition to ZEV trucks will also significantly improve Texas’s environmental air quality. TCEQ estimates that “mobile sources are responsible for more than half of NOx emissions in certain non-attainment areas in Texas.” Multiple Texas cities, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, McAllen, and Laredo, are on the American Lung Association’s Most Polluted Cities list for 2023.
The EDF has debunked the myth that grid upgrades for EV charging would increase electricity rates. A recent study found that utilities covering upfront costs for fleet charging infrastructure could actually increase utilities’ revenue, lower electricity rates for consumers, and accelerate electric fleet adoption.
This progress is encouraging, and RSB Environmental is excited to be part of an industry that is embracing sustainable growth. The EDF continues to collaborate with TCEQ and other state agencies to advance ZEV truck infrastructure and investments, testifying before the Legislature to approve additional funding for the Texas Emission Reduction Program.
The mission is clear: to ensure that all Texans can breathe air free of pollution caused by heavy-duty diesel engines. With the combined efforts of the TCEQ, EDF, and industry partners like RSB Environmental, Texas is on a promising path towards a cleaner, greener future.
