Image for CFM Client Wins Grant to Purchase Six Electric Trucks

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality last week announced 12 grants totaling around $8 million to reduce more than 200 tons of diesel greenhouse gas emissions. CFM client, Titan Freight Systems, received a $1.288 million grant to purchase six electric trucks and charging stations.

During the 2021 Oregon legislative session, Titan Freight advocated for a phased-in substitution of renewable diesel for petroleum diesel. The drop-in substitute, Titan argued, could reduce 5.9 million metric tons of transportation-sector emissions without any vehicle upgrades or increased fuel costs.

The legislation didn’t pass, but opened eyes about potential gains in transportation emission reduction. A modified version of the legislation, which addresses supply and price security concerns, will be considered in the short 2022 legislative session.

“We are pleased to continue our march toward zero emissions, first with 100 percent renewable diesel in our entire Oregon operations, and now as a grant recipient giving us the opportunity to be the first heavy duty truck operator in Oregon to employ zero-emission battery electric trucks,” says Keith Wilson, president and CEO of Titan Freight. He thanked Freightliner and PGE for providing technical advice for Titan’s successful grant request.

“Our final thanks goes to DEQ for making this possible and helping make Oregon a leader in clean transportation,” Wilson adds. “This grant, coupled with the Clean Fuels Program, delivers not only a low-emissions homerun for Oregon, but also lower cost of operations for going green.” 

“Titan truly walks the talk when it comes to reducing GHG emissions and improving our climate,” says Waylon Buchan, state affairs counsel for CFM who represented Titan in the 2021 session. “This company leaves no stone unturned and continues to exhaust all options available to them – whether it’s turning to renewable diesel or spearheading innovation with zero-emission electric trucks.”

Buchan notes, “Absent these types of subsidies, electric trucks remain out of reach for many trucking companies today. This DEQ award is a major step forward and turns an expensive dream into a reality.” The grant covers 75 percent of the cost of electric trucks.

The largest DEQ grant totaling $2.66 million went to the City of Portland to replace eight diesel-powered street sweepers. Cadman/Lehigh Hanson, which supplies sand, gravel and concrete, received $1.2 million to retrofit exhaust controls on its equipment.

This company leaves no stone unturned and continues to exhaust all options available to them – whether it’s turning to renewable diesel or spearheading innovation with zero-emission electric trucks.

DEQ evaluated 71 grant applications, seeking more than $53 million, based on project approach, eligibility, fleet profile and cost and quality. Where projected greenhouse gas emission reductions will occur also was a factor to address long-term impacts on vulnerable populations.

Money for the grants comes from the $40 million Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund, which was established through a settlement after Volkswagen admitted cheating on emission standards. This was the first year grants were awarded from the trust fund. DEQ intends to award $8 million in grants per year through 2025. Actual fund transfers are anticipated in mid-2022 when final project details are confirmed.

“Diesel pollution is a hazard to public health, especially for our most vulnerable community members, and these grants will permanently remove tons of toxic emissions from our air,” said Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland. “DEQ’s grant program provides valuable support for diesel equipment owners to replace their older, more polluting equipment. I am excited to see this support go out to these businesses.”