Medford Gets Grant To Replace Diesel Street Sweeper

MEDFORD, MA — Medford will soon replace an existing diesel-powered street sweeper with an all-electric alternative thanks in part to a state grant, officials announced Wednesday.

Medford will pair the $280,000 grant with funding available through either the American Rescue Plan Act or city free cash to pay for the new vehicle, according to city officials.

The transition, officials said, comes as part of city sustainability and emissions reduction efforts.

“Moving away from gas-powered vehicles and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is critical to achieving our climate goals,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. “Transitioning our vehicle fleet from diesel-fuel is another step toward reaching the pledge in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050."

Medford's recently announced grant is funded through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program operated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The agency announced a larger package of more than $1.8 million in grants spread across seven municipalities late last month. Each grant aims to support plans to replace diesel-filed vehicles with new electric options.

Medford’s street sweeper transition marks the city’s first transition of a medium/heavy-duty vehicle to an electric alternative, officials said this week.

The state’s grant will cover roughly half of the cost for the new sweeper.

Medford finalized and released its climate plan in April of last year. Officials this week said the city is “making strides” toward goals enumerated in the plan, including a plan to add new electric vehicle charging stations in municipal parking lots.

“Our climate is changing, and Medford needs to be a part of the solution so future generations can live and thrive here,” city Director of Planning, Development and Sustainability Alicia Hunt said in comments regarding recent electric street sweeper grant money. “This grant helps ensure that our Climate Plan becomes a reality and I thank everyone who added to this submission for their work and insight.”