Because of its NOx emissions cheating, Volkswagen is being held responsible for both recalling diesel vehicles that have violated US emissions standards and paying penalties issued by the EPA. Penalty funds will be used to increase investments in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) deployments and projects that offset the NOx emissions that were produced by the substandard vehicles.

Fleets for the Future is a national partnership of regional councils, Clean Cities coalitions and industry experts led by the National Association of Regional Councils. It is focused on ways to reduce the costs to alternative fuel for vehicles and refueling or charging infrastructure. There are plans to develop and implement five regional procurements and one national scale procurement. A best practices guide will be created that includes templates on alternative fuels and related infrastructure development; creative financing mechanisms; and, vehicle procurement strategies and policies.

Safe Alternative Fuel Deployments: a Combined AFV and Fire & Rescue Training Initiative (The SAF-D Project) is a two-year project that will develop and incorporate alternative fuel safety curriculum and instructional materials into the Missouri and Kansas state fire and rescue training systems, so that alternative fuel safety becomes a regular and ongoing part of first responder training. Metropolitan Energy Center, Inc. (MEC), leads the project team.  This project is ongoing. If you wish to get involved or learn more please contact your Clean Cities Coordinator.

The Mid-America Green Fleets’ goal is to significantly improve the environmental performance of business and government vehicle fleets across the region through diesel cleanup and other strategies. This program is composed of three core components:

• Working with fleet managers to develop a Mid-America Green Fleets policy tailored to their specific needs.
• Hands-on support and assistance in implementing the policy.
• The development of a regional rating system to recognize those fleets that have made positive progress toward their environmental goals.

This project is ongoing. If you wish to get involved or learn more please contact your Clean Cities Coordinator.

The Mid-America Collaborative for Alternative Fuels Implementation endorsed a multi-pronged approach where appropriate fuel diversity creates an energy secure future. It aimed to eliminate obstacles to adoption of vehicles and infrastructure using natural gas, B20 biodiesel, E85 ethanol, propane autogas, electricity, and hybrid electric technologies. This project has been completed. Tools and resources developed for this project are available under Resources.

The Midwest Region Alternative Fuels Project was managed by Metropolitan Energy Center for the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition and its 20 deployment partners. Its goals included supporting green collar jobs related to alternative fuel vehicle, engine and refueling equipment manufacture and service; expanding the influence of Clean Cities; and growing alternative fuel use regionally by connecting new areas of use, especially along interstate corridors.  This project has been completed. Tools and resources developed for this project are available under Resources.

Electrify Heartland was a product of the Greater Kansas City Plug-In Readiness Initiative, sponsored by Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition and Mid-America Regional Council.  The overall goal was to have a regional plan to prepare public resources and secure the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in vehicles within the metropolitan areas of Kansas City, MO and KS, Jefferson City, MO, and Wichita, Salina, Topeka and Lawrence, KS.  On this page you will also find information and resources related to all aspects of electric vehicle (EV) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).  This project has been completed. Tools and resources developed for this project are available under Resources.