INDIANAPOLIS - Greater Indiana Clean Cities is offering an alternative fuel vehicle grant to government entities and other organizations with fleets in Indiana. The applications for the program are due on Sept. 30, 2011. Eligible projects must be completed by Jan. 31, 2012, which means the vehicles must be deployed in the fleet by that time. The grants range from $40,000 to $500,000.

The funds can be used to cover the cost differential between the cost of purchasing an alternative energy vehicle rather than a traditional fuel vehicle. It can also be used to defray the cost of retrofitting an existing vehicle. Infrastructure costs are not eligible in this grant program. However, for a project to be eligible, alternative-fuel infrastructure must be currently available for the type of vehicles being purchased or will be completed and available by June 30, 2012.

The release said the majority of project activities must be located in Indiana. Vehicles used outside the state are eligible if they are based in Indiana. Vehicles must be owned and operated by applicant. Vehicles must be on-road alternative fuel vehicles as defined by the EPA and the Energy Policy Act, and they must be a part of a fleet of vehicles (defined as 5 or more vehicles).

As part of the AFV grant process, the release said applicants must work with at least one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities organizations in the state. In Indiana, there are two, Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition and South Shores Clean Cities, Inc. in northwestern Indiana.

Those interested can download related documents on IN.gov.