City Secured $280K Grant to Help with the Purchase of Green Energy Vehicle

Diesel Emission Reduction Act Grant Will Help Move Medford Toward Goal of Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

(MEDFORD) - The City has secured over $280,000 in grant funding from the state to assist with the purchase of an all-electric Street Sweeper, replacing the diesel fuel-powered vehicle that is currently in use, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced. 

Transitioning to a green-friendly vehicle will help the City achieve key transportation emission reduction goals outlined in Medford’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The purchase of this street sweeper will mark the first medium/heavy-duty vehicle that will be transitioned to net-zero emissions. The grant will cover roughly half the cost of the vehicle and the City will look to fund the remainder of the balance through ARPA funds or by requesting a favorable vote by the Medford City Council to use free cash.

“Moving away from gas-powered vehicles and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is critical to achieving our climate goals,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said. “Transitioning our vehicle fleet from diesel-fuel is another step toward reaching the pledge in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant was secured by Medford’s Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability and Department of Public Works from the latest round of funding. In total, the state allocated $1.8M to municipalities to work toward cutting emissions and replacing diesel-fueled vehicles. MassDEP prioritized projects that serve Environmental Justice populations, drive technological and policy progress, and promote equitable geographic distribution of the DERA funding across the state.

“Diesel emissions are not only harmful to the environment, but also our personal health,” said Alicia Hunt, Director of Planning, Development, and Sustainability. “Our climate is changing, and Medford needs to be a part of the solution so future generations can live and thrive here. This grant helps ensure that our Climate Plan becomes a reality and I thank everyone who added to this submission for their work and insight.”

The Climate Plan was finalized and released in April 2022 and the City is making strides towards the goals laid out in the plan, including the installation of five Level 2 charging stations in municipally owned lots. The plan can be found here.

With any further questions, please contact the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability at [email protected] or (781) 393-2480, or the Department of Public Works at (781) 393-2417.