Diesel reduction grants
Diesel reduction grants will reduce greenhouse gases and protect people from toxic diesel emissions. This grant's primary purpose is to electrify school buses. It also helps reduce idling and replace other diesel equipment engines.
Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in Washington, accounting for nearly half of total greenhouse gas emissions. Diesel exhaust is responsible for two-thirds of Washington’s airborne cancer risk. The Governor and Legislature are creating policies and initiatives to reduce impacts from climate change and improve public health by moving from fossil fuels to a zero emission transportation system.
Funding cycle
- Amount of funding available: Varies – see individual grant guidelines for eligibility
- Grant award limit: Varies – see individual grant guidelines for eligibility
- Amount of matching funds required: Varies – see individual grant guidelines for eligibility
Applications are not being accepted at this time.
Open and future grants
| Grant | Application materials | Application period |
Award notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State Diesel Reduction Combined Funding Program |
|
September 8, 2026 – December 10, 2026 | First quarter 2027 |
Closed grants
| Grant | Application materials | Award notifications |
|---|---|---|
| Zero emission school bus and fleet transition grant program |
|
Third quarter 2026 |
| Air Quality Clean School Bus Grant Program 2023–2025 (round 2) | Fourth quarter 2024 | |
| Air Quality Clean Diesel Grant Program 2024–2025 (diesel marine engines and training pilot programs) | Third quarter 2024 | |
| Air Quality Clean Diesel Grant Program 2023–2025 (fuel cell transit buses and zero emission yard trucks) | First quarter 2024 | |
| Air Quality Clean School Bus Grant Program 2023–2025 (round 1) | First quarter 2024 |
Funding is available for the following entities:
Washington State Diesel Reduction Combined Funding Program
Organizations licensed in Washington including, but not limited to:
- Corporations
- Limited liability companies
- Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations
- Other legal business entities
- Partnerships
- Multi-unit/-family residential buildings
- Investor-owned utilities and contracted municipal utilities
State, local, or Tribal government and related entities in Washington including, but not limited to:
- Cities and town
- Counties
- Local clean air agencies
- Port authorities
- Public utility districts and municipal utilities
- Special districts (such as health districts, fire districts, college districts, school districts, metropolitan municipal corporations)
- State and local parks
Zero emission school bus and fleet transition grant program
- Zero emission school bus projects
- School bus owners that transport students to K-12 schools overseen by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for the 2025–2026 school year
- Vocational training projects
- Cities
- Counties
- Local clean air agencies
- Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations
- Public utility districts/co-ops
- School districts, including skills centers
- State government
- Transit authorities
- Tribes
Washington State Diesel Reduction Combined Funding Program
This program includes two funding opportunities to replace or repower the following diesel vehicles/equipment with zero emission vehicles/equipment and install corresponding charging infrastructure. Each funding opportunity has unique vehicle/equipment eligibility.
- Air quality diesel reduction grant program (AQDR-2027)
- Engine model year 2010-2017 emergency, freight, and vocational vehicles
- Cargo-handling equipment and yard trucks/terminal tractors operating off port property
- Air quality Volkswagen settlement ports and wheels (AQVWPW-2027)
Zero emission school bus and fleet transition grant program
- Zero emission school bus projects
- Vehicle replacement – Scrap and replace existing eligible school buses with new zero emission school buses, including fleet transition and infrastructure equipment and activities associated with each replacement
- Additional fleet transition and infrastructure – Purchase equipment and conduct activities needed to support zero emission school bus maintenance and operations, including charging infrastructure
- Vocational training projects
- Train school bus mechanics, bus drivers, and office staff about the maintenance and operation of zero emission fleets
- Prepare 8th-12th grade students for jobs created by transitioning diesel/fossil-fueled fleets to zero emission fleet
More information about this funding program
Related links
Contact information
Kelly O'Callahan
Diesel Program Specialist
kelly.ocallahan@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-9147
Pete Siefer
Diesel Reduction Unit
pete.siefer@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-9146
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