Current Grant-Funded Programs
Equitable Commute Project
The Equitable Commute Project is a coalition of seven NYC organizations working to expand economic access through sustainable micromobility.
In August, 2023, ECP introduced the Sustainable, Affordable, Fire-Safe E-Bike (SAFE) Program to support equitable access to fire-safe, high-quality e-bikes. Delivery workers in NYC have heavily adopted ebikes to support their jobs, but also face safety challenges with lower priced equipment options. In order to meet the city’s fire safety standards, Mayor Adams signed Local law 39 requiring all new ebikes sold in NYC to be UL-2849 certified beginning September 16th, 2023. But with a price tag that is 2-3 times more than non-UL certified ebikes, high quality, UL certified ebikes are out of reach for many New Yorkers. Under the SAFE Program, NYC-based delivery workers can apply to trade-in their non-compliant e-bike or moped in exchange for heavily discounted pricing on UL-2849 certified e-bikes with two batteries. A low-cost, 12-month loan is also available to delivery workers from ECP-coalition member Spring Bank to approved participants, regardless of credit score. . Bronx Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus
As a winner of the 2022 New York Clean Transportation Prize competition, we will be bringing two hydrogen fuel-cell (HFC) electric buses into MTA service in the Bronx! These buses will serve eight routes throughout several neighborhoods in the Bronx and will refuel at a new hydrogen station at the Gun Hill Road Depot.
Why hydrogen?
The Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative, led by the Department of Energy and national laboratories, aims to ensure fair access to clean transportation options for communities nationwide. Aligned with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which mandates that 40 percent of federal clean energy benefits benefit disadvantaged communities, this initiative seeks to promote equity across the country. ECC has been actively engaged with the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative since its inception, particularly in South Queens. This region, notably South East Queens, grapples with substantial transportation challenges, including limited subway access and few bus routes. For example, a trip from the Rockaways to Astoria, two neighborhoods in different corners of Queens, can take nearly two hours by public transit. Recognizing these challenges, ECC is conducting a thorough transportation study in South Queens in collaboration with community stakeholders. The resulting report will outline potential projects to address the transportation needs of these communities.
Freight Electrification-as-a-Service for Transformation (FEaST)
CALSTART, a leading clean transportation organization, has joined forces with vehicle operators, manufacturers, financiers, and local non-profits to address barriers to electric truck adoption in NYC. Their solution involves a financial model enabling companies to gradually pay for electric vehicles while saving money on fuel costs. In the short term, they plan to deploy 14 electric trucks in the greater NYC area, notably the South Bronx, which would significantly reduce emissions. This initiative is projected to pave the way for broader electric truck adoption, ultimately phasing out diesel vehicles. Additionally, CALSTART aims to provide job training for low-income New Yorkers, preparing them for careers in building and maintaining electric trucks and chargers. This effort is bolstered by a Green Ribbon Panel ensuring community-driven impacts. CALSTART welcomes input to strengthen their proposal for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, with the aim of enhancing health and economic prospects in the South Bronx.
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BrOnx Is breating
Thanks to a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), The Bronx is Breathing team will catalyze the adoption of electric trucks in Hunts Point and launch a supportive ecosystem for zero-emission freight in the state’s busiest trucking destination. The project’s keystone is a new public, multi-user freight charging hub on a former brownfield site, which will also host a worker-owned electric freight start-up and provide charging for new refrigerated EVs for food rescue organization City Harvest.
Revel transit inc.:
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MEDIUM-AND HEAVY-DUTY EV DEPLoYMENT: DATA COLLECTION |
Empire Clean Cities is working with CALSTART to collect and analyze data from a diverse set of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles across different applications, geographies, terrains, and climatic conditions. Data from electric school buses, transit buses, trucks and off-road equipment is of particular interest to support the anticipated growth of electrified transportation nationally.
EMPOWER WorkPlace Charging
With electric vehicle (EV) adoption on the rise all across the U.S., it’s more important than ever for your business to be prepared to meet the workplace EV charging needs of your employees. Now is a great time to get started exploring how EV charging can benefit businesses. We are part of the Equitable Mobility Powering Opportunities for Workplace Electrification Readiness (EMPOWER) project. Providing access to workplace charging can support environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and be part of a hiring and retention strategy.
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Hunts Point Solar & Battery Refrigerated Trailer pilot |
In partnership with NYSERDA, Convoy Solutions is launching a pilot project to deploy four solar- and battery-powered refrigerated truck trailers at the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx. Through this pilot, Convoy Solutions and Empire Clean Cities hope to establish the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of cleaner and more efficient alternatives to diesel-powered refrigerated trailers.
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soy in the city: connecting sustainable farms and bio-based fuels in New york |
Empire Clean Cities is partnering with New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association (NYCSGA) to bring attention to the relationship with upstate New York corn and soybean growers and downstate biofuel and biodiesel fuel users. Through this campaign, we aim to highlight to special connection between stakeholders and share useful information about the viability of biobased fuels to reduce harmful vehicle emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
mission electric
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Mission Electric is Empire Clean Cities' electric vehicle campaign and one-stop shop for all information regarding resources, events, and funding incentives to help you transition to electric vehicles.
Mission Electric provides comprehensive guides to electric vehicles, charging basics and an opportunity to be part of an electric vehicle community in New York. Additionally, Mission Electric is a resource for finding cost savings programs and ways to save on the purchase and long-term ownership of an electric vehicle. Visit us online or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! |
Empire Green Fleets
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The Empire Green Fleets (EGF) program provides guidance and reliable verification for public and private fleets or farms who are either currently reducing or planning to reduce their environmental impact through the adoption of clean alternative fuels, fuel efficiency measures, and other sustainability policies in their operations.
Empire Clean Cities helps EGF applicants collect vehicle information, measure emissions of five key pollutants, and benchmark your fleet against conventional fleets of the same size and make-up. |
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Clean Air NY Community PartnerEmpire Clean Cities participates in Clean Air NY's Community Partner program, helping commuters make changes to everyday travel choices that help improve air quality and our quality of life. Empire Clean Cities and Clean Air NY are excited to work together toward the shared goal of improved air quality through more sustainable transportation.
Nearly one-third of all air pollution in the New York metropolitan region is caused by vehicle travel. Reducing miles traveled in single occupancy, conventionally powered vehicles can make a big difference. Everyone has the power to help make New York’s air healthier and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. You can be among the first to know when an update has been issued by signing up for our Air Quality Action Day Updates. We’ll email you air quality updates and information on how to avoid air pollution effects and protect your health. |
Outreach & Education
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Education is key to electric and alternative fuels adoption. ECC works hard to stay up-to-date with all the latest fuel and technology advances and we want to share that information as often as we can. Whether you are an individual interested in purchasing an EV, a business or fleet, or simply curious about alternative fuels, we have an event for you!
Examples of outreach events include:
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Other Alternative Fuel Activities
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Empire Clean Cities collects regional data on pricing, availability and trends related to the advance fuel market that help the U.S. Department of Energy maintain a national database of information that tracks trends, improves systems, and helps citizens and businesses make smart, informed transportation decisions. Data collection includes:
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