Editor’s note: This story, which was originally posted Oct. 18 at 11:21 a.m. was updated Oct. 18 at 11:35 a.m. to remove references to Maryland Energy Administration’s Medium-duty and Heavy-duty Zero Emission Vehicle Program. It was updated at 1:32 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2024, to include comments from a food truck operator.
Customers of Montgomery County’s food trucks may soon be able to buy tacos, pupusas, barbecue and other items cooked by the power of electricity from their favorite vendors thanks to a new county grant announced Tuesday.
Up to 25 local food trucks will be able to receive funding to replace diesel-powered generators with electric power systems through the county’s Food Truck Electrification Pilot Program, according to a county press release.
The funding comes from a $150,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration. The county’s pilot program aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve public health by providing subsidies to food truck operators to offset the cost of electric generators with electric power systems, according to the release. Those systems can range in cost from $10,000 to $25,000. The release did not say whether the entire cost of the systems will be covered by the funding.
County Executive Marc Elrich said in the release the grant is a “major step forward for [the county’s] sustainability efforts” and the pilot program is the first of its kind in the region.
“By transitioning food trucks from diesel to electric power, we are not only cutting down on harmful pollutants but also supporting our local small businesses,” Elrich said.
Chris Van Jura, the owner and operator of Catalyst Hot Dogs, told MoCo360 Friday morning that the program seemed like a “wonderful step in the right direction” in being more environmentally conscious.
He also noted that it was nice to see support from the county that gave food truck operators the option to go electric.
Catalyst Hot Dogs serves cast-iron grilled all-beef or vegan dogs on Martin’s potato rolls out of a trailer. Van Jura launched the mobile eatery in December 2020 after he raised $25,000 on GoFundMe.
Catalyst Hot Dogs currently operates two food trailers and makes stops at various locations around the Washington, D.C. area. Each week a new schedule is announced on social media. The eatery also has a permanent location at Denizens Brewing Company’s new location in Riverdale Park in Prince George’s County.
“I’ve got trailers out right now burning gas, and I imagine these electric systems would not only be better for the environment because we’re not burning fuel, but they’ll also be quieter,” Van Jura said.
Van Jura said he would “absolutely” apply to receive funding to go electric. “It’s a cool thing, so why not?” he said.
The pilot program may cut carbon pollution by 515 tons annually over the lifetime of the battery generators, according to the release, which notes that typical food trucks that run on diesel produce more than four times as much carbon dioxide each year as a passenger vehicle.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will manage the pilot program In coordination with the county’s Department of Health and Human Services, which regulates food truck operators.
Food truck operators can submit an interest form to receive more information about electrifying their food truck generators, according to the release. The DEP will begin accepting applications later this year.
With electric generators, the county expects that within two years the systems will recoup the cost of going electric through reduced fuel costs. In addition, the county has partnered with the Montgomery County Green Bank to offer a cash rebate and zero-percent interest loans for the cost of equipment and installation.
“This partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection underscores our commitment to advancing sustainable business practices while building a prospering, sustainable and healthy Montgomery County,” Steve Morel, CEO of the Montgomery County Green Bank, said in the release.
