Project Green Fleet

Region

Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin

Timeline

2006 - Present

Topics

Overview

Environmental Initiative partners work with fleet owners and operators to reduce air pollution by upgrading older diesel vehicles and equipment through Project Green Fleet. We are currently prioritizing work in:

  • Communities that have faced, or are facing environmental justice concerns or health disparities.
  • Areas that are not in compliance with federal air quality standards.
  • Goods movement areas including ports, rail yards, airports, or other distribution centers.

Our model is to connect fleet owners with grant opportunities to help off-set the costs of replacing or upgrading diesel vehicles or engines. We identify funding opportunities and recruit fleets to participate in grant applications. Environmental Initiative coordinates installation of equipment, quantifies emissions reduced, and administers large-scale grant funding for Project Green Fleet.

 

Our accomplishments

Project Green Fleet has retrofitted or replaced diesel engines in school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty trucks, trains, boats, and other construction equipment.

3,331

School buses retrofitted.

1,378

Heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines upgraded.

36

Annual tons of fine particulate matter reduced.

Frontloader

What vehicle types are eligible?

Project Green Fleet is currently able to reduce emissions on a range of diesel fleets including:

  • Class 4-8 heavy-duty trucks.
  • Off-road construction equipment including loaders, sweepers, backhoes, etc.
  • Locomotives.
  • Marine engines and port facility fleets.

Engines must be in current use and operate at least 500 hours per year. After the upgrade, fleets must also agree to operate the equipment for at least 5 years.

Cleaning up marine diesel engines

At first glance, it’s not easy to see how towboats and air quality relate. Big engines – like the ones on marine vessels – can operate for several decades, and many of these older engines lack the environmental controls that are now standard in newer models. Learn more about our work to repower marine engines in partnership with Upper River Services in Saint Paul, Minn.

Clean Air Blogs

State lottery dollars were renewed by voters. What comes next?

Minnesota voters extended lottery funding for the environment in November. Explore what this significant investment means for air, land, water, wildlife, and communities statewide.

Environmental Initiative receives $1.1 million grant to reduce diesel emissions

Project Green Fleet recently partnered with three Minnesota-based fleets to submit a funding application that secured just over $1.1 million to replace six diesel vehicles.

Ballot breakdown: How voting yes supports Minnesota’s environment

Minnesotans have a unique opportunity this election to renew critical lottery funding that protects our air, water, and natural spaces. Learn more about what's on the ballot and how you can help.

See All Air News

Project Contacts

We collaborate with fleet owners and operators to connect them with grant opportunities to upgrade older diesel vehicles and equipment.

Our Partners