GRANTS AND INCENTIVES
There’s free money available?
Most likely, but it depends on your use case, vehicle type, and location.
The up-front cost of commercial electric vehicles can be offset – sometimes dramatically – by taking advantage of available grants and incentives. This page lists the main ones for the USA and Canada, at the federal and state/province level.
We’re always here to help you navigate the grants and incentives landscape.
US federal programs
There are several nationwide funding programs administered by Federal government agencies. The IRA applies to any EV that’s class 4 or above, the EPA program is specific to school buses, and the FTA program is targeted at public transportation.
IRA Tax Credit
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/commercial-clean-vehicle-credit
Beginning January 1, 2023, a tax credit is available to businesses for the purchase of new EVs and FCEVs. For tax-exempt organizations, the credit is same as cash.
- Maximum tax credit $3,750 for vehicles under 14,000 lbs. This includes the Lightning ZEV3 passenger van and cargo van
- Maximum tax credit $40,000 for vehicles above 14,000 lbs. This includes Lightning ZEV4 trucks, shuttles and school buses
Clean School Bus Program Grants | US EPA
This is a competitive grants program. The second round of funding closes August 22, 2023.
This applies to the Lightning ZEV4 electric Type A school bus.
- Estimated total grants amount: $400M
- District minimum project size is 15 units, with a maximum of 50 buses per district.
- Third-party partners can apply on behalf of school districts, which can include smaller project sizes.
- Scrappage, sale or donation of gasoline or diesel buses being replaced is required.
- This program also supports the deployment of charging infrastructure.
Low or No Emission Vehicle Program – 5339(c) | FTA (dot.gov)
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
This applies to the Lightning ZEV4 shuttle bus.
Awards have been announced for the 2023 Funding Round.
Eligible projects include:
- purchasing or leasing low- or no-emission buses
- acquiring low- or no-emission buses with a leased power source
- constructing or leasing facilities and related equipment (including intelligent technology and software) for low- or no-emission buses
- constructing new public transportation facilities to accommodate low- or no-emission buses
- rehabilitating or improving existing public transportation facilities to accommodate low- or no-emission buses
- Additionally 0.5% of a request may be for workforce development training and an additional 0.5% may be for training at the National Transit Institute (NTI). Applicants proposing any project related to zero-emission vehicles must also spend 5% of their award on workforce development and training as outlined in their Zero-Emission Transition Plan, unless the applicant certifies that their financial need is less.
US state programs
These programs are specific to the listed states. We expect more states to jump in over time!
HVIP
Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project | California HVIP
This voucher program currently offers incentives of $45,000 for Lightning ZEV3 and $60,000 for Lightning ZEV4 vehicles.
ZEV3 products include passenger and cargo vans.
ZEV4 products include shuttle, box truck, utility truck, dump truck or stake bed.
There are additional savings for areas identified as a Disadvantaged Communities (DAC).
ISEF – Innovative Small e-Fleet Set-aside voucher program
Eligible organisations: Smaller private company and nonprofit fleets with 20 or fewer vehicles with GVWR of 8500 lbs or greater in their existing fleets, and less than $15MM in revenue.
Standard HVIP vouchers are doubled up to 90% of the vehicle price for vehicle purchases or financing of 3+ years. For example a Lightning ZEV3 receiving a $45,000 voucher through standard HVIP would receive $90,000. A class 4 standard voucher is $60,000, with an ISEF voucher value of $120,000.
ISEF vouchers are doubled up to 90% of the vehicle price for short-term lease, rental, TAAS offerings of less than 3 years.
Voucher requests capped at 20 per fleet.
Colorado Electric School Bus Program
Colorado Electric School Bus Grant Program | Department of Public Health & Environment
Competitive Grants Rebate Program
- A rebate of $275k is available for Lightning ZEV4 electric Type A school buses.
- No minimum or maximum project size
- Funding is stackable with federal and utility grant programs
- Must retire or convert 20% of vehicles requested if applying for 5+ buses
- EVSE included $3500 – $52,000 per charger port
Colorado Clean Fleet Program
Competitive Grants Rebate program
- Class 3-4 zero-emission vehicles receive a 40% reimbursement off the new vehicle cost.
- EVSE, staff, and indirect costs not included
Xcel Electric School Bus Rebate
- Total funding amount $2.2MM
- Battery electric buses
- No minimum or maximum project size
- Up to $275,000 rebate
MOR-EV Battery Electric Vehicles
- Class 3 vehicles (10,001-14,000 lbs GVWR): $15,000 rebate
- Class 4 vehicles (14,001-16,000 lbs GVWR): $30,000 rebate
- Additional 10% to the rebate for meeting Massachusetts Environmental Justice Income Criteria
NJZIP
- Voucher program
- Lightning ZEV3 passenger and cargo vans voucher amount $50,000
- Lightning ZEV4 trucks and shuttle voucher amount $65,000
- Additional 10% incentives are available for overburdened communities
- Woman, minority and veteran-based businesses: additional 4%
- School bus bonus: 25%
- Capped at 100% of vehicle cost
NYTVIP
Truck Voucher Incentive Program
- Lightning ZEV4 shuttles, trucks and Type A school buses: 80% incremental cost up to $90,000
- County specific to avoid scrappage
NYCCTP – New York City Clean Trucks Program
Eligibility Requirements – NYC Clean Trucks Program (nycctp.com)
- Businesses that move goods and commercial truck operators located in or operating within 0.5 miles of program-approved IBZs (Industrial Business Zones) throughout New York City
- Class 4 trucks that move goods and commercial diesel fueled trucks
- Requires scrappage of an older diesel truck: this truck can be purchased from a prior owner to meet old truck eligibility requirements
- $100,000 rebate incentive, no limit on number of vehicles purchased
NYSBIP – New York School Bus Incentive Program
- The NYSBIP is a point-of-sale incentive program which will accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses (Type A, C, & D, specifically) in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle weight classes throughout the state of New York.
- See the link above for more information, including voucher amounts.
- Eligibility for funding includes New York state public school districts & other public entities providing pupil transport services. Third-party operators (bus contractors) working with a New York state public school district are also eligible.
- The application portal opens on November 29th, 2023.
- Fleet owners can apply through a dealer from this date.
- Stacking is allowed & encouraged, but NYSBIP cannot be used to exceed 100% of the bus cost.
- Examples: The IRA & Make-Ready Programs can be stacked with NYSBIP. However, NYSBIP cannot be stacked with EPA Clean School Bus or NYTVIP.
- Charging infrastructure and equipment (EVSE) will soon be included in this incentive program.
Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Rebate Grants Program
Currently closed. Opens in January 2024. The available money may go quickly, so prepare your applications soon!
Rebates available for class 4 electric vehicles, such as Lightning’s ZEV4. Rebate amount: $75,000 per vehicle.
Canadian federal program
Canada currently has one federal incentive program: iMHCEV.
This is a point-of-sale voucher program applicable to both commercial passenger and cargo vehicles operated by individuals, businesses, nonprofits, or public sector organizations.
- Lightning ZEV3 cargo and passenger vans, ambulances, (ADA lift and refrigeration can be included)
- Lightning ZEV4 reefer truck, type A school bus, box truck, work trucks, and shuttle bus
Maximum incentive amount: Up to $75,000 CAD based on eligibility and requirements.
This incentive stacks with most provincial programs.
Canadian provincial programs
British Columbia and Quebec offer programs.
cleanBC Go Electric Rebates
https://pluginbc.ca/goelectricrebates/
This is a rebate program applicable to an individuals, businesses, non-profit, or public sector organizations based in British Columbia or with a BC-based affiliate.
Eligible Lightning vehicles include:
- Lightning ZEV3 cargo and passenger vans, ambulances, (ADA lift and refrigeration can be included)
- Lightning ZEV4 reefer truck, type A school bus, box truck, work trucks, and shuttle buses
Maximum rebate: Up to $75,000 or 33% of the purchase price, whichever is lower.
Rebate will not stack with other Clean BC Programs for the same vehicles but will stack with other government funding limited to 75% of eligible project costs except for local or indigenous government departments and agencies which can cover 100% of the total project cost.
Programme d’aide Écocamionnage (Ecotrucking Program)
This is a rebate program applicable to commercial cargo vehicles operated by individuals, businesses, non-profits, or public sector organizations based in QC.
Eligible Lightning vehicles include:
- Lightning ZEV3 cargo van
- Lightning ZEV4 cargo truck
Maximum rebate: Up to $85,000 CAD based on eligibility and requirements.
Rebate will not stack with other Quebec programs for the same vehicles but will stack with other government funding to a limited to 75% of eligible project costs except for local or indigenous government departments and agencies which can cover 100% of the total project cost.
Program ends March 31, 2024
Écobus financial assistance program
This is a rebate program applicable to commercial passenger vehicles operated by individuals, businesses, non-profits, or public sector organizations based in QC.
Eligible Lightning vehicles include:
- Lightning ZEV3 passenger van
- Lightning ZEV4 shuttle bus
Maximum rebate: Up to $100,000 CAD based on eligibility and requirements.
Rebate will not stack with other Quebec programs for the same vehicles but will stack with other government funding to a limited to 75% of eligible project costs except for local or indigenous government departments and agencies which can cover 100% of the total project cost.
Closes March 31, 2025