Granite State Clean Fleets Grants

The Granite State Clean Fleets (GSCF) program is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and is funded by the New Hampshire Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. This competitive reimbursement grant program is designed to reduce diesel emissions by supporting the scrappage and replacement of diesel-powered units with newer, cleaner alternatives. The program seeks to address transportation-related emissions through funding that enables the adoption of diesel and alternative fuel technologies, such as electric, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, and hybrid vehicles, as well as marine shore power systems. Eligible applicants include public entities in New Hampshire such as municipalities, school districts, public colleges, and transit agencies, as well as private businesses and nonprofit organizations. There is no cap on the number of applications an entity can submit, but each application must be submitted separately and will be evaluated independently. Projects must include scrappage of old units and replacement with qualified newer models. Units must meet usage requirements, such as a minimum of 4,000 annual miles for on-road units, and replaced equipment must still be operational with at least one year of remaining useful life. The program has a total of $5.1 million available in this round, with awards based on both project eligibility and a competitive scoring system. A second funding round of equal value is anticipated for later in 2025. Applicants must pay project costs upfront and are reimbursed according to eligibility and funding caps, which vary by project type and applicant type. For instance, battery-electric vehicle replacements may receive up to 90% reimbursement with a cap of $750,000, while diesel-to-diesel replacements are capped at $500,000. Eligible costs include vehicle/equipment acquisition, EVSE infrastructure, and installation-related expenses, while ineligible costs include pre-award expenses, project management, and routine operation and maintenance. Applications must be submitted by May 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET via email to ms-grants@des.nh.gov. A webinar with a Q&A session is scheduled for April 23, 2025. Projects are expected to be completed by December 31, 2027, with specific timelines subject to approval by the Governor and Executive Council (G&C). Selected projects must comply with administrative and scrappage conditions, including maintaining equipment per manufacturer guidelines and providing project documentation for up to five years. Evaluation of proposals is based on criteria such as project readiness, cost-effectiveness of pollutant reductions, and additional community benefits. Bonus points may be awarded for projects located in Priority New Hampshire Communities or utilizing alternative fuel technologies. All selected applicants must finalize a grant agreement with NHDES and secure G&C approval before initiating their projects.