The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) applauds the U.S. Congress' inclusion of $10 million in the recent FY2022 omnibus spending bill to fund Federal Transit Administration (FTA) research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects to advance the zero-emission transit industry, including the Transit Vehicle Innovation Development Center (TVIDC). This crucial funding for zero-emission public transit innovation comes at a time when climate change impacts are clearer than ever and the need for zero-emission solutions is increasingly urgent.

The agreement, an accompanying statement to the legislation, directs FTA to collaborate with TVIDC to accelerate deployment of zero-emission transit technologies and infrastructure that reduce the transportation sector's impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, through research and technical assistance. The $10 million is available for technical assistance, research, demonstration, or deployment activities or projects that accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buses in public transit.

Under the current TVIDC program, in coordination with FTA, CTE convened a panel of transit industry leaders to assess the greatest challenges facing the zero-emission bus industry today and to offer solutions for moving the industry forward. FTA published the panel's report in January 2021.

With the new funding, CTE can work with FTA to build upon the priorities identified by the panel, priorities like advancing zero-emission bus component testing the under LowNo-CAP and the Altoona Bus Testing program; developing testing and procurement standards for advanced transit vehicle technologies including automated driving systems, connected vehicle technologies and cybersecurity, and battery state of health assessment; and research into zero-emission transit industry workforce development needs, supply chain challenges, opportunities to address environmental justice, and climate and service resiliency opportunities in collaboration with electric utilities and emergency first response agencies. CTE is eager to continue moving the zero-emission transit industry forward at this critical juncture for emissions reduction efforts and is grateful for Congress' support in doing so.