The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tentatively selected the County of Hawai'i to receive over $1 million in funding to purchase three zero-emission vehicles through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. The county plans to replace three diesel vocational vehicles with electric models, install charging stations, and invest in workforce development training programs. EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman highlighted that the switch to zero-emission vehicles will help reduce air pollution, improve health outcomes, and contribute to the fight against climate change. The initiative, part of the Biden-Harris Administration's National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, will see the replacement of various heavy-duty vehicles with clean models, including some hydrogen fuel cell transit buses. This funding also supports the development of vehicle fueling infrastructure and workforce training. The goal is to address the harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, particularly those impacting vulnerable communities, by adopting zero-emission technologies. This move is crucial in protecting the health of millions of people living near truck freight routes in America. The program aims to accelerate the deployment of eligible zero-emission vehicles and enhance workforce development in the clean energy sector. Overall, the County of Hawai'i's venture is part of a broader national effort to transition to cleaner transportation options and reduce the environmental impact of heavy-duty vehicles. The selected projects across the U.S. are expected to create job opportunities, improve air quality, and mitigate health risks associated with air pollution. The awards for the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will be finalized in early 2025, with project implementation set to take place over the next few years.