WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the City of Portland received $611,536 as an initial award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund the replacement of two municipal aerial lift utility trucks with fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV) aerial trucks—the first BEV’s in this vehicle class for the city. The investments will also be used to provide specialized BEV training for the city’s in-house vehicle technicians.
“Portland’s push to transition to electric vehicles is a win in the battle against climate chaos and to protect clean air,” said Merkley. “Emissions from fossil-powered vehicles are a huge driver of climate chaos, and this funding for new, all-electric BEV aerial trucks and technician training is a step towards a greener and cleaner future for Oregonians.”
“This federal investment in replacing Portland’s utility diesel trucks with electric vehicles takes a key step toward cleaner air and greener energy,” Wyden said. “That adds up to a solid win in the climate crisis fight that can both be celebrated today and built upon in the future.”
Today’s initial investment comes from the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding, which offers funding assistance to accelerate the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of legacy diesel fleets. In total, the City of Portland was approved to receive $1,358,968 through this critical program for its Utility Vehicles Electrification Pilot Project.
For a full list of DERA national awards, click HERE.
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