Food Truck Generator Electrification Pilot

food truck customers being served by smiling vendor

Montgomery County is taking noise and pollution off the menu for food trucks by providing incentives to replace gasoline- and diesel-powered generators with clean and quiet battery power systems.

Mobile food service businesses (a.k.a. food trucks and trailers) licensed in Montgomery County can receive zero-interest financing and cash incentives to purchase and install battery power systems thanks to a generous grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA).

Each replaced fuel generator will save businesses thousands of dollars in fuel and maintenance costs, take 4 cars' worth of carbon emissions off the road, and reduce unhealthy noise and air pollution for the benefit of employees and customers.

How does the pilot work?

  1. Complete the program application form.*
  2. Receive a confirmation from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that you are eligible for incentives or provide additional information as requested. DEP will connect you with participating vendors.
  3. Contact participating vendors to assess your power needs and receive quotes for battery power system equipment and installation. 
  4. Send quotes to DEP for final approval. DEP will confirm approval with the applicant and vendors.
  5. Apply for your zero-interest loan with Montgomery County Green Bank partner Climate First Bank.
  6. Order and install your battery power system.
  7. Provide proof of installation to DEP and receive final incentives.

Applications

Click on the button below to complete your application.

Application Form

Formulario de solicitud en español

Please contact Brian Booher, Senior Planning Specialist via  email or call 240-506-6075 with any questions about the application.

How will applicants be selected?

Applications will be processed and approved in the order that completed applications with equipment and installation quotes are received. Applicants will be pre-qualified for incentives but are required to complete all program requirements to receive full incentives. Completing an application does not guarantee a loan approval or incentive payment. DEP reserves the right to pause or suspend application processing at any time.

Incentives

Loan Option: The business will receive a zero-interest, 24-month loan for up to $25,000 before purchasing eligible equipment from a participating vendor. Upon submitting proof of installation of eligible equipment, the business will receive a $1,000 incentive. The incentive can be credited to the balance of the loan or paid in cash to the business.
Direct Payment Option: The business may choose to receive a direct payment instead of a zero-interest loan of 20% of the cost of equipment and installation up to $5,000. The incentive will be paid following submission of proof of installation.

Eligible Businesses

To receive an incentive your business must meet the following requirements:

  1. You must be the owner of a licensed mobile food service business in Montgomery County. Mobile Reciprocity Licenses from another jurisdiction the State of Maryland are allowed. 
  2. Your business must be registered with the  State of Maryland and designated in "good standing."
  3. You must currently use a gasoline or diesel fuel generator in your operations.
  4. You must purchase equipment that meets your food truck’s operating power requirements and the minimum specifications and installation requirements described below. 
  5. You must agree to provide photographs of installed equipment and invoices for installation.
  6. You must provide permission for Montgomery County DEP and/or Maryland Energy Administration to inspect and photograph the installed battery power system upon request.
  7. To receive financing incentives, you must qualify for financing with Climate First Bank. 
  8. To receive incentives as direct payments, you must register as a vendor in the County Vendor Registration System.  

Battery Power Systems

Battery power systems (also known as battery energy storage systems) consist of a battery or stack of batteries with an inverter, which connects to the electrical panel of the food truck. The equipment is normally installed in a cabinet or on the wall of the truck. A participating vendor will help you design your system to meet the daily needs of your operation and technical support during the installation. They will provide a power needs analysis document that confirms the system will meet your power needs and estimates how quickly you will pay-back your investment through fuel and maintenance savings.

Example systems shown below. The minimum specifications of the battery power system are as follows:

  • Minimum nominal energy capacity: 5000 Wh
  • Minimum power output: 5000 W
  • Warranty: 10 years or more

Installation

To install the battery power system in your food truck, you must hire an electrical contractor that is 1) licensed in the State of Maryland and 2) in Climate First Bank's qualified installer network. If necessary, your electrician can also install a 240V outlet at your base of operations. Installation costs may be included in loan and cash incentives. DEP reserves the right to exclude certain costs from approval, such as electrical costs not associated with the battery power system. 

Participating Vendors

If you are a vendor of battery power systems or Maryland licensed electrician, please email Brian Booher to be listed. 

Equipment Vendor: 
Joule Case
Contact: Mark Gates
Phone: 415-914-2909

Financing Provider: 
Climate First Bank
Contact: Dema Headley
Phone: 727-335-0515
Joule Case Sigma Line battery modules Example 1: Joule Case Sigma Line stackable battery module
Two Joule Case Pro Line batteries installed in a food truck cabinet Example 2: Two Joule Case Pro Line batteries installed in a food truck cabinet

Community Partners

Press for the Food Truck Generator Electrification Pilot

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