By: Paige Starnes, Clean Transportation Intern
Introduction
The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) grant, supported by funding through the NC Department of Transportation (DOT), has funded projects since 2006. Managed by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), this grant helps support clean transportation projects across eligible counties in North Carolina. These awards have gone to a variety of organizations, and many technologies were funded, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure. This analysis looks at projects funded between 2006 and 2019.
What is behind the CFAT projects?
Since 2006, the CFAT grant has funded over 120 projects and awarded more than $9.6 million across 24 NC counties. A variety of organizations have been awarded funding for their clean transportation projects, including:
– Local Governments
– Utilities
– Freight
– Institutions
– Manufacturers
– First Responders
– Small Businesses
– Other (organizations that didn’t fit into the above categories)
The eligible technologies that have been given funding include:
– Idle Reduction
– Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles
– Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG) vehicles
– Electric Vehicles (EVs)
– EV Charging Stations (EVSE)
– Telematics: technology for vehicle tracking and data analysis. (After 2015 telematics projects did not pass the criteria to be funded.)
– Biodiesel
– Other (projects that didn’t easily fit into these categories)
The initial estimate for emission reductions caused by these technologies was divided into carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Other variables analyzed were the number of technologies per award, cost-effectiveness, and the project description.
Considerations
– How has the CFAT funding been spread out over the years? Which technology got the most attention?
– Which types of organizations have been applying for these funds?
– How much of an impact has this had on reducing emissions like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM)?
– Are certain types of technologies more cost-effective than others in terms of emissions reduction?
– What are the long-term benefits, like job creation and improved public health?
Process
To begin the project, a timeline was created using Excel. This detailed timeline allowed for organized data while providing an overview. Charts, tables, and graphs were relied on to easily display the trends in the data. For further analysis, scientific sources were utilized.
Findings
From the analysis, here are the main findings shown in images, charts, and tables:
Image 1. How has the distribution of the number of awards varied per county?
Image 2. The most common technology type funded per county based on the amount awarded per technology.
Chart 1. The type of organization CFAT awards were issued to every year. *Other refers to organizations that did not easily fit into the given categories
Chart 2. The type of technology CFAT awards were issued to every year. *Other refers to diesel filters, diesel retrofits, and other various technologies
As you can see from the two graphs above, we experienced a gap of funding in 2009.
Chart 3. Distribution of technologies awarded from the CFAT grant. *Other refers to diesel filters, diesel retrofits, and other various technologies
Table 1. Total initial estimated emission reductions per category.
Table 2. Average cost efficiency per technology type. ($/kg) *Other refers to diesel filters, diesel retrofits, and other various technologies
Key Takeaways
- Where is the funding going?
Counties like Wake and Mecklenburg, with high populations, received the most awards. This trend reflects the availability of resources in these areas to apply for and implement CFAT-funded projects. Local governments were the most frequent grant recipients, likely due to their ability to manage large projects. The most-funded technologies included idle reduction systems and EV-related infrastructure, showing that NC is focusing on reducing fuel waste and increasing EV adoption.
- Emission Reductions
In total, the initial estimated reductions from CFAT projects were over half a million kilograms of pollutants per year. The largest reductions were in nitrogen oxides (NOx), with over 273,000 kg/year. Particulate matter (PM) saw the smallest reduction at just over 6,500 kg/year.
- Improving Fuel Efficiency
Idle reduction systems turned out to be the most cost-effective in terms of emissions reduction, and electric vehicle charging stations (EVSE) are playing a big role in making EVs more accessible. By reducing idling and fuel consumption, idle reduction systems cut maintenance costs and boosted efficiency. Alternative fuels, such as CNG, LPG, or battery power, also offer tremendous cost savings. There are tax credits, reimbursements, and grants to encourage fleet managers to invest in alternative fuels.
- Job Creation and Industry Growth
Clean technologies don’t just help the environment, but also the economy. EV adoption has spurred job creation in manufacturing and infrastructure, while biodiesel and CNG adoption have strengthened domestic energy markets. These technologies have a broad impact on the US economy due to their diversification of the nation’s fuels, reducing the need for foreign oil. Reducing idling and fuel consumption is saving fleet operators money, benefiting everyone.
- Health Benefits
By reducing emissions, CFAT projects are improving air quality, especially in communities that need it most. These areas are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of climate change and are more likely to experience side effects. For example, Edgecombe County, which has the highest poverty rate in the state, received funding for 25 bi-fuel propane upfits in 2019. This project helps reduce the harmful air pollutants in an area that really needs cleaner air.
What’s Next?
Increasing CFAT funding through Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds would build on the many achievements of the CFAT grant. More resources would allow for expanded projects, ensuring clean transportation technologies become standard across North Carolina.
The CFAT grant has reduced emissions, fostered economic growth, and improved public health. It provides a blueprint for policymakers to allocate resources toward sustainable transportation initiatives. By continuing to invest in clean technologies, North Carolina can lead the way toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future!