Grant Orientation for Zero Emission Rail Operation (GO ZERO) Program
About
CARB launched the GO ZERO Program in November 2023 to raise awareness of funding opportunities and available zero emission technologies as well as to assist California's small locomotive operators with grant applications. GO ZERO focuses on funding from Federal programs such as the Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program, and State funding such as the State Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW) Program to replace existing locomotives with zero emission equipment at low to no cost to the operators. CARB is currently working on the 2025 round of GO ZERO. For more information, please review the Program Status section below.
Program Status
March 2025
On March 25, 2025, CARB hosted an online GO ZERO webinar to provide information on the program and the 2025 application process. During the webinar, staff went over the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI) and discussed the different California funding programs available to operators. The presentation also included several zero-emission rail equipment options from various manufacturers.
You can access the webinar slides here or find them under Popular Resources on the main GO ZERO webpage.
CARB is currently working on the 2025 GO ZERO application. If you are interested in participating in the program, please fill out the 2025 GO ZERO Operator Information Request Form and submit it to locomotives@arb.ca.gov by June 27, 2025. You may also send any questions to the same email address.
October 2024
On October 29, 2024, the FRA announced the FY2023-2024 CRISI recipients which includes CARB's joint application. The joint application was submitted in collaboration with Pacific Harbor Line, Watco, and Sacramento Valley Railroad. The joint application was awarded up to $36.5 million to replace 10 diesel locomotives with 9 ZE battery-electric locomotives and one hydrogen fuel cell locomotives and installation of four battery chargers throughout California. Pacific Harbor Line will acquire 5 battery-electric locomotives and two battery chargers. Watco will acquire 4 battery-electric locomotives and two battery chargers. Sacramento Valley Railroad will acquire one hydrogen fuel cell locomotive.
May 2024
On May 31, 2024, CARB submitted a joint application for the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The application requests federal funding to replace 10 diesel locomotives with zero-emission (ZE) battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell locomotives and for the installation of 4 ZE battery chargers. Replacing diesel locomotives with ZE locomotives will result in a substantial reduction of emissions and noise while providing significant benefits to surrounding communities. In addition to emissions and noise reductions, the GO ZERO project's goal is to increase industry acceptance of ZE locomotive technologies and serve as examples of the capability of ZE locomotives to help bring confidence to rail operators.