Michigan is launching a $4.29 million grant program to help replace diesel refuse and recycling trucks with zero-emission battery electric vehicles, according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
The 2026 Michigan Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program targets Class 6 (19,501-26,000 pounds) and Class 7 (26,001-33,000 pounds) diesel vehicles. Individual awards will range from $100,000 to $1 million, with funding capped at $260,000 per vehicle. Eligible costs include vehicle purchase, charging infrastructure, and workforce development and training. Recipients must provide a 50 percent cost match of total project costs.
Both public and private entities physically located in Michigan can apply on a rolling, competitive basis until funding is exhausted. The program prioritizes projects in designated ozone nonattainment areas and counties with high asthma burden, with additional focus on Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. All project funds must be expended by December 31, 2028.
Diesel refuse trucks are major contributors to air pollution in neighborhoods because they operate daily at low speeds near homes, schools, and businesses. Replacing them with electric models can reduce harmful exhaust emissions and lower noise levels, EGLE said. The agency also launched the Michigan Electric Fleet Network in September to bring together fleets operating or considering electric vehicles.