The Washington State Department of Transportation has announced a forthcoming $112 million statewide incentive program designed to help businesses and fleet operators transition to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. According to the agency’s official announcement, the application window for the new initiative is expected to open in April.

The program will provide funding assistance for the purchase of electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, buses, and freight equipment, aiming to reduce emissions in Washington’s most heavily trafficked corridors. Small businesses, freight operators, and public-sector fleets are expected to be among the primary beneficiaries.

For Cowlitz County, where industrial and shipping activity along Interstate 5 and the Columbia River create persistent demand for heavy freight movement, the initiative could bring meaningful change. Local fleet operators—such as timber processors, logistics firms, and port contractors—may find cost offsets that make electric or hydrogen technology more feasible than in past cycles.

WSDOT stated that the program aligns with the state’s broader transportation decarbonization strategy and complements other climate-focused efforts led by the Department of Ecology and the Utilities and Transportation Commission. Details on eligibility criteria, incentive levels, and application procedures are expected to be released closer to the April start date.

Businesses and local governments interested in participating can sign up for updates through WSDOT’s official site.