Innovative Small E-Fleet (ISEF) Program Update

Flexible Zero-Emission Truck Funding for Small Fleets with 20 Trucks and Fewer

Beginning August 30, 2023, privately-owned or non-profit trucking fleets with 20 or fewer trucks and an annual revenue of less than $15 million can access flexible financing options for zero-emission trucks through the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) Innovative Small e-Fleet Pilot (ISEF). This funding allows small fleets to request enhanced vouchers for standard purchases or flexible financing, lease, rental, and truck-as-a-service options, and fueling support. Guidelines to participate in ISEF are now available through Appendix F of HVIP’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Implementation Manual.

Small Fleets Interested in Accessing Zero-Emission Trucks

Staff invite small fleets interested in accessing funding for class 2b-8 zero-emission vehicles to participate in an informational session on ISEF hosted by the project administrator CALSTART. The program will open for voucher requests on August 30, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on the ISEF Purchaser Webpage. Eligible small fleets may request either a Standard Purchase Voucher, or an Innovative Solution Provider Voucher. Fleets must work with an approved ISEF Provider to apply for an Innovative Solution Provider Voucher to access zero-emission vehicles through a rental, lease, truck-as-a-service, or other agreement. Approved providers will work with eligible dealers to request the voucher on the participating fleet’s behalf. ISEF aims to provide small businesses with flexibility, and thus fleets should explore the different options that will be offered by Providers upon approval.

Date: July 19, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific
Recording

Dealers and Companies Interested in Participating as a Provider or Dealer
Staff invite dealers, their financing partners, leasing and rental companies, or truck-as-a-service providers to participate in a public webinar hosted by the project administrator CALSTART. Attendees will hear an overview of the ISEF program and updates to the guidelines. Innovative Solution Voucher Providers must complete a Provider Eligibility Application to request vouchers on behalf of their customers. Provider Eligibility Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, but Providers should submit by August 15 to ensure their offering is approved prior to voucher requests opening on August 30, 2023.

Date: July 11, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pacific
Recording

To participate in these webinars please register before the webinar start time. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information to join the webinar either through a computer, digital device or via conference line. Each meeting link in the confirmation email is unique so please do not share it with others. Every person that wishes to participate needs to register separately and use the unique link sent to them to access the webinar. Please note that there is no in-person attendance option for this webinar. This webinar will be recorded and will be emailed to attendees via email. The recording will also be available one week after the meeting date on CALSTART’s YouTube channel.

Background
The goal of the ISEF set-aside is to implement innovative solutions to assist small fleets in making the transition to zero-emission trucks, including, but not limited to, flexible leases, short-term rentals, truck-as-a-service, assistance with infrastructure, individual owner planning assistance, increased available funding, and other mechanisms. Barriers to zero-emission truck adoption, such as high upfront costs, limited financing & insurance options, and complex planning for fueling infrastructure present an even greater challenge to small fleets and owner-operators. By dedicating a portion of HVIP funds to small fleets, HVIP can position itself to better understand the specific needs of this traditionally underserved group and support their transition to zero-emission, especially for those subject to the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation.

The FY 2022-23 Funding Plan, approved by the Board on November 17, 2022, allocated $1.7 billion to HVIP, of which $35 million will be allocated to ISEF.

For more information about the FY 2022-23 Funding Plan, please visit the Funding Plan Website. HVIP and ISEF are both part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities with the greater economic and environmental challenges.

Contact
If you have questions regarding the program or webinar, please contact the ISEF team at [email protected].