The North Carolina Department of Transportation (N.C. DOT) will provide the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) at North Carolina State University with a two-year $4.49 million award for the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) project, part of which will be used to develop a professional Smart Fleet management training program that will supply tools and information to increase fleet efficiency through the use of low carbon fuels, technologies, practices, and policies.

The CFAT project focuses on improving air quality in the 24 North Carolina counties that are in non-attainment or maintenance status with regards to National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The project centers around three primary activities: education and outreach, emission reduction sub-awards, and recognition of exemplary efforts among fleets and organizations reducing their transportation-related emissions.

The award will also help fund the expansion of a public education campaign to increase awareness of cleaner transportation options through statewide television, radio, and billboard advertising directing users to the consumer-oriented website FuelWhatMatters.org.

The beginning of this new CFAT phase coincides with the announcement of a request for proposal period for $1.5 million in funding available to governments, businesses, and/or non-profit applicants for transportation technology emission reduction projects.

Eligible projects include biodiesel, E-85 ethanol, electric, hybrid electric, natural gas, propane vehicles, and refueling/recharging equipment. Vehicle telematics, diesel retrofits, and idle reduction technologies are also eligible for CFAT grant funding.

Funding assistance is allocated in the form of a reimbursement, which can cover up to 80% of the project cost. In order to be eligible, a project must reduce transportation-related emissions within the 24 eligible counties with the exception of natural gas refueling equipment and electric vehicle recharging infrastructure which, in accordance with federal guidelines, can be located anywhere within the state.