Authored by Michael Dorgan, Policy Manager
As legislators get to work in Washington, D.C., CTE remains engaged in the surface transportation reauthorization process to ensure that the priorities of our members and the broader zero-emission transit industry are reflected in the next surface transportation bill. While the legislative path forward remains uncertain, CTE has identified several priorities based on feedback from our members and industry partners and we are actively communicating these priorities to congressional offices.
If these priorities align with those of your organization, please sign on to CTE’s support letter. We intend to begin submitting these letters to key congressional offices beginning March 13, 2026. If you have any questions about the process or feedback on our priorities, please reach out to Michael Dorgan at dorgan@cte.tv.
TVIDC: The Engine for Transit Innovation
The TVIDC program is the federal government’s primary tool for supporting innovation in the transit sector and has received bipartisan support since its inception in 2017 under the first Trump Administration. Without authorization, the Transit Vehicles Innovation Deployment Centers (TVIDC) program remains vulnerable to annual appropriations uncertainty. This uncertainty puts the domestic transit supply chain at risk and limits the industry’s ability to design and deploy a modern, safe, and efficient transit system relied upon by millions of Americans.
TVIDC supports the development and deployment of American-built innovations that strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the global market and advance next-generation transportation technologies. Many of the issues studied through TVIDC also have broader applications across other transportation sectors. Failure to authorize and adequately fund this program jeopardizes private investment, weakens domestic manufacturing and undermines efforts to strengthen U.S. energy independence.
Funding for Low- or No-Emissions Vehicles
In the event that the current Low- or No-Emission Vehicle Program is discontinued, it will be critical to include eligibility for low- and no-emission vehicles and related infrastructure in other federal programs.
Americans rely on transit for access to jobs and economic opportunities in both urban and rural communities. Low- and no-emission buses are a vital part of the transportation ecosystem and eliminating this program would disrupt procurement cycles, reduce order predictability for manufacturers, and severely impact job growth in the industry.
Federal funding for low- and no-emission vehicles presents key opportunities for fleet modernization across all 50 states and supports manufacturing jobs, infrastructure modernization, and workforce development efforts across the transit supply chain.
