South Coast AQMD is now accepting applications for its Battery-Electric (BE) Switcher Locomotive Program, part of the INVEST CLEAN initiative - Infrastructure, Vehicles, and Equipment Strategy for Climate, Equity, Air Quality, and National Competitiveness. This $190.8 million funding opportunity supports the deployment of BE switcher locomotives and charging infrastructure across Southern California.

The program is funded through the U.S. EPA’s INVEST CLEAN*, awarded in October 2024, with goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create an estimated 4,700 high-quality jobs nationwide.

Eligible applicants include locomotive manufacturers in partnership with freight operators or freight operators managing their own switcher fleets. Projects must operate in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim and Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario metropolitan areas, which include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Each locomotive must demonstrate at least 425 megawatthours of battery-electric operation annually, with preference given to projects located near sensitive receptors such as homes, schools, and hospitals.

When fully implemented, the BE Switcher Locomotive Measure is projected to deliver significant air quality improvements, including annual reductions of 258 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 9 tons of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and 10 tons of diesel particulate matter (DPM). Additionally, the INVEST CLEAN initiative is expected to reduce 42,476 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) between 2025 and 2030. These efforts mark an important step toward modernizing the goods movement sector and advancing clean air goals in communities near freight rail corridors.

Funding is expected to support up to 18 battery-electric locomotives , with average award amounts of approximately $10 million per locomotive project. Proposals are due by September 30, 2025, with implementation through September 2028.

For full program details, visit www.aqmd.gov/investclean.

*This project has been funded wholly or in part by the U.S. EPA under assistance agreement #5E97T15501 to South Coast Air Quality Management District. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. EPA , nor does the U.S. EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document, as well as any images, video, text, or other content created by generative artificial intelligence tools, nor does any such content necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. EPA.