The cities of Chicago, San Diego and San José have won spots in the new Delivering Zero Emissions Communities program. Each of the three cities will receive a $100,000 grant, as well as technical support from the Natural Resources Defense Council and other EV advocacy groups, with the goal of converting 100 percent of their commercial vehicles to zero emissions by 2030.

Technical support will be tailored to the needs and goals of each city, and may include policy development, charging infrastructure planning, community engagement, implementation assistance, guidance sourcing federal funding opportunities, and connections to industry.

“The Delivering Zero Emissions Communities program is about ambitious, immediate, impactful action to reduce diesel pollution,” said NRDC’s Amanda Eaken. “Mayors Lightfoot, Gloria, and Liccardo know that vague goals and far-off promises aren’t good enough for residents who live near highways and freight hubs and experience the daily health consequences of toxic air pollution. That’s why we’re joining together to rapidly transition to zero emissions commercial vehicles.”

Chicago will use support from the program to implement a redesigned Drive Clean Chicago program, a cargo e-bike pilot, and a program to incentivize businesses to transition to electric fleets.

San Diego will develop a Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Blueprint that shifts decision-making power to communities most impacted by diesel pollution and identifies barriers and solutions to the EV transition.

San José will launch an Equity Task Force with community members, create an Urban Freight Working Group with private-sector partners, design a Zero Emissions Neighborhood pilot program, and pass a zero-emissions resolution in the City Council.

Source: NRDC via Transport Dive