Low or No Emission Vehicle Program

We help transit agencies develop winning proposals.

CTE has a strong track record of helping transit agencies develop winning Low-No grant applications. Our success rate is unmatched in the industry and is a direct result of our knowledge of the ZEB market, experience with ZEB deployments, and our ability to organize and manage the entire grant application process.

Agencies that have chosen to partner with CTE to prepare their Low-No grant applications have enjoyed more than double the success rate to those that have not. To date, we have helped 160 transit agencies receive over $1.1 billion that will ultimately result in the deployment of over 1000 zero-emission buses nationwide.

Blue electric bus with a large illustration of a roadrunner on the side pulls up to a stop sign.

a blue and green bus with G B T on the side of it drives down a road with green trees

145

Low-No Awards

160+

Transit Partnerships

1k+

Buses Funded

$1.1

Billion Awarded

Low-No Service Package Examples

CTE is available to support your agency in developing a responsive Low-No application. We will assign dedicated staff to work with you throughout the application process.

Based on our success with previous Low-No projects, CTE offers several Low-No project management and technical consulting service packages designed to fit a variety of client requirements. Each service package consists of a combination of tasks from CTE’s services listed below.

Your CTE project manager will work with you to customize a plan that best meets your needs.

Technical Services Plan

• Deployment Planning
• Bus, Route, & Fuel Modeling
• Performance Validation
• Benefits Assessment & Deployment Validation
• Project Management & Technical Advisory

Full Deployment Service Plan (with Named Vendors)

• Deployment Planning
• Bus, Route, & Fuel Modeling
• Benefits Assessment & Deployment Validation
• Project Management & Technical Advisory
• Performance Validation
AND
• Bus & Fueling Specification Advisory

Full Deployment Service Plan (with RFP Support)

Service Descriptions

Project Planning

CTE helps the agency develop a project management plan to guide its advanced technology bus project. CTE collaborates with the agency to define project objectives and scope, identify resources, and develop a detailed project schedule and implementation plan. The project plan is then presented at the project kickoff meeting held with key team members and stakeholders.

Bus, Route & Fuel Modeling

CTE’s modeling suite leverages proprietary engineering and analysis tools to deliver an independent operational assessment that aligns transit technologies with service requirements.

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Bus & Route Modeling – CTE gathers data on routes, technical specifications of the bus and charging or refueling equipment, and operational assumptions. This route and bus information is used to model the buses’ duty cycles, simulating bus performance on selected routes. The process also ensures that adequate power and energy storage specifications are met and informs fueling and charging strategies.

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Fueling Infrastructure Modeling - For battery electric bus deployments, CTE defines charging scenarios to model electricity consumption and assess charging equipment requirements. Modeling results for electricity inform infrastructure procurement and operational decisions. For fuel cell electric bus deployments, CTE will determine daily hydrogen consumption and station throughput requirements given the agency’s refueling window. CTE will also estimate a station scale-up plan as a starting point for fueling station design discussions.

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Fuel Cost Modeling – CTE examines electric utility rate structures to estimate the annual cost of energy to charge battery electric buses. CTE works with the transit agency and local utility providers to determine rate schedules that would be the most advantageous for supporting battery electric bus deployments. For fuel cell electric bus deployments, CTE will identify likely sources of hydrogen supply, evaluate hydrogen supply reliability, and estimate the cost of hydrogen.

Benefits Assessment & Deployment Validation

CTE collects operational data to generate a series of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure benefits and ensure the buses perform as expected. KPIs can be used to compare ZEB performance against the agency’s current bus fleet by measuring and reporting mileage, fuel consumption and costs, maintenance costs, battery degradation, and efficiency and range under varying conditions. This information is used to assess energy savings, cost savings, and emissions reductions to measure performance against expectations and goals and to validate the operating model. Continuous KPI monitoring establishes an understanding of the technology that can be applied to future ZEB procurements, deployments, and long-range fleet management planning.

Project Management & Technical Advisory

CTE employs a project management methodology specifically designed for advanced technology bus deployments and augmented by established project management, administration, reporting, and controls processes. CTE provides technical advisory services throughout the project to ensure that agency staff understand the differences in technology and the best practices for deploying and operating a modernized fleet. CTE’s Smart Deployment Methodology is designed to address all aspects of a successful implementation, including planning, requirements analysis, specifications, workforce development requirements, operator and maintenance training, testing and validation, and performance evaluation. In addition, CTE assists the agency with the development of quarterly reports to meet FTA reporting requirements.

Performance Validation

Before the delivered buses enter revenue service, CTE runs a series of tests to validate the expected levels of bus performance. If there are any discrepancies between the modeled and the tested performance, CTE will work with the agency to analyze these discrepancies and reevaluate operational decisions before the agency places the buses into service.

Bus & Fueling Specification Advisory

Based on the modeling outputs, CTE helps the agency develop vehicle and infrastructure technical specifications to meet service requirements. The specifications can then be used as part of a competitive procurement or to develop a contract with a named vendor. CTE also provides advisory services throughout the design and build process.

Procurement Support and/or Technical Evaluation

If an agency chooses to select a bus, charging, hydrogen refueling station, or facility modification vendor through a competitive procurement, CTE supports the agency in the procurement process, including assisting in the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFP), technical evaluation of proposals, vendor demonstrations, site visits to vendor facilities, vendor negotiations, and contracting.

Other Low-No Project Services

Workforce Development

Transitioning to an advanced technology bus fleet presents both opportunities and challenges for agencies and their workforces. CTE offers targeted training courses that provide foundational knowledge, key considerations, and real-world insights into battery-electric and fuel cell bus operations. Each course is tailored to an agency’s specific stage in the transition process—from planning your first advanced technology bus procurement to managing the complexities of a fully modernized fleet.

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These trainings are designed to engage staff across departments—management, operations, and maintenance—ensuring the entire team is aligned and equipped to support a successful deployment. The curriculum covers technical fundamentals, operational implications, and the questions to ask when evaluating vehicle and infrastructure solutions, empowering staff to make informed decisions.

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Following the initial training, CTE works with the agency to assess how the transition to advanced technology will impact their workforce. CTE conducts a skills gap analysis, then develop a customized roadmap for building the necessary capabilities across all affected departments. This includes tailored training content, recommended timelines, and professional development guidance for both hands-on and support roles.

Buy America Audits

Pre-Award and Pre-Delivery Buy America audits ensure the buses meet Buy America requirements. If desired, CTE can provide qualified auditors to complete these requirements for the project.

Periodic Quality Assurance Audits & Inspections

CTE provides qualified inspectors to review the manufacturer’s production procedures, monitor the build, and periodically inspect the buses. The goal of the inspection is to ensure that the buses meet the specification requirements and that the OEM is adhering to its quality control and quality assurance standards.

Redundancy, Resilience, & Response Planning

The Redundancy, Resilience, and Emergency Response Assessment investigates the risks of deploying a full advanced technology bus fleet, analyzes the impacts of power outages or other fuel disruptions, and develops risk mitigation alternatives. The assessment also evaluates the agency’s ability to fulfill any emergency response obligations, such as evacuation support. The assessment then produces recommendations to mitigate the identified risks specific to an agency’s risk tolerances, facility constraints, and budget.

Other ZEB Deployment Support Services

Transition Planning Support

CTE’s Transition Planning services provide a clear, actionable roadmap for deploying advanced technology buses and infrastructure—fully aligned with FTA’s Low-No application requirements and broader stakeholder goals. For California agencies, plans also support compliance with the California Air Resources Board’s Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation.

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CTE’s comprehensive Transition Planning methodology includes a Feasibility Assessment, Alternatives Analysis, Alternative Selection, and a phased implementation strategy that includes:

Assessment of fleet composition, fueling requirements, facilities, and maintenance capabilities
Evaluation of system resilience
Comparative analysis of total cost of ownership across multiple technology pathways

To ensure long-term success, the plan also addresses workforce impacts, funding opportunities, legislative considerations, and strategic partnerships needed for implementation.

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The final product is a comprehensive, data-driven Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Plan that minimizes risk, maximizes benefits, and positions the agency for competitive funding success.

man stands at podium giving speech in front of banner that says independence from emissions

About CTE

Since 1993, CTE has collaborated with federal, state, and local governments; commercial, public, and private fleets; vehicle technology manufacturers and innovators; and fueling equipment suppliers to advance clean, sustainable, innovative transportation and energy technologies.

View Our Mission & Impact

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