The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to extend budget support for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) through 2029. On Sept. 18 local time, electric vehicle outlet Electrek reported that the House passed the measure this week by 343 votes to 79.

House Resolution 2140 would amend Section 797(a) of the 2005 Energy Policy Act to extend the budget authorisation deadline for the DERA grant programme through 2029. Representatives Doris Matsui, Ken Calvert, Chellie Pingree and Nick Langworthy introduced the bill, which would provide $100 million annually through fiscal 2029.

DERA is a grant programme run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It focuses on lowering the upfront cost burden of replacing medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment that rely on high-emitting diesel assets with cleaner alternatives. It works by bridging the cost gap between new diesel vehicles or highly polluting equipment and low-emission alternatives during fleet operators' electrification process.

Over the past 20 years, the programme has helped retire tens of thousands of engines from the road and cut fleet operators' fuel use by more than 500 million gallons. Henry Hanscom (헨리 한스컴), chief advocacy and public policy officer at the American Trucking Associations, said the move would allow carriers to continue modernising their fleets while expecting fuel savings and additional emissions reductions.

The bill must go through Senate review and receive final approval from the president.