Oregon DEQ opens application period for 2026 diesel mitigation and infrastructure grants

Starting today, diesel fleet and equipment owners can apply for a variety of reimbursement grants to support efforts to reduce harmful transportation emissions across the state under the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's 2026 Diesel Emissions Mitigation and Zero-Emissions Infrastructure Funding programs.

Details on the available grants are as follows:

• Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants and Federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Funding
  • Total: Approximately $6 million between Volkswagen settlement and expected federal DERA funding.
  • Focus: To swap older diesel vehicles, engines or equipment for similar, newer, cleaner zero-emissions vehicles, technologies or retrofit exhaust controls.
  • Eligibility: Oregon businesses, organizations, Tribal Nations, local governments and individuals with medium- and heavy-duty diesel fleets, model year 1992 - 2009.
  • Contact: Rhett Lawrence, Air Quality program analyst: [email protected].
• Oregon Zero-Emission Fueling Infrastructure Grants
  • Total: Approximately $600,000.
  • Focus: To develop plans and install charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emissions vehicle fleets.
  • Eligibility: Oregon businesses, organizations, Tribal Nations, local governments and tribes planning to install private and/or public charging infrastructure.
  • Contact: Tracie Weitzman, Air Quality program analyst: [email protected].
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Grants
  • Total: Approximately $500,000.
  • Focus: To purchase new zero-emissions transit buses (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell) and/or installation of charging or hydrogen fuel cell fueling infrastructure that directly supports zero-emissions transit operations.
  • Eligibility: Oregon public transit providers.
  • Contact: Gerik Kransky, Air Quality senior transportation policy advisor, [email protected].

In total, more than $7 million is available to help purchase new zero-emissions trucks and buses, replace or retrofit older, more polluting diesel engines, or develop medium- and heavy-duty zero-emissions vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure projects. All programs are opening today for applications, but they may have different timelines for their due dates, as detailed below.

"Fleet owners across the state continue to show strong interest in cleaner technologies," said Oregon DEQ Air Quality Transportation Strategies Section Manager Rachel Sakata. "These grants and incentives help them make the transition while reducing harmful air pollution and protecting the health of Oregon communities."

Owners of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles requiring retrofits under DEQ's Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program may also apply for funding to support the installation of diesel particulate filters. In addition, owners of diesel construction equipment (e.g., concrete mixer trucks and dump trucks used on construction projects) may be eligible for funding to replace or upgrade equipment. These investments can help fleets qualify for recognition through DEQ's voluntary Diesel Emissions Identification Program.

The 2026 application period is the only opportunity this year to apply for these grants. Previous award recipients can apply for additional funds.

Links to User Guides and more detailed application information are provided on each grant's web page. Applications for Diesel Emissions Mitigation and Oregon Zero-Emission Fueling infrastructure funding should be submitted through the DEQ Grants web portal. The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grants have a separate online application form (Link found on the CMAQ web page).

Application deadlines are as follows:

• Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants: 5 p.m. (PDT) on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.
• Oregon Zero-Emission Fueling Infrastructure Grants: Rolling deadline until all award funds have been obligated.
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grants: Rolling deadline until all award funds have been obligated.

For more information specifically on the grants, please contact the program analysts listed above or email [email protected].