Boulder County is injecting fresh energy into its food truck scene and environmental ethos with a new grant program that's all about going green. Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE), along with the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and the City of Boulder, have rolled out an initiative aimed at helping mobile businesses ditch the gas-guzzlers for cleaner, electric alternatives. Business owners can snag up to 80% in cost coverages for flipping the switch to battery systems and energy-efficient kitchen gear, as reported by the City of Boulder.
Running for eight hours, the gas-powered generators that have long been the bones of this roving culinary culture are comparable to burning coal, 83 pounds of it. Boulder County isn't just sitting back. Their new Food Truck Electrification & Efficiency program is an ambitious merger of the RAQC's Engines Off campaign and PACE's existing equipment grant. According to Norma King, PACE's Programming and Community Relations Specialist, who told the City of Boulder, over 180 mobile businesses stand to benefit from such a program in Boulder County alone.
With their sights set on a cleaner future and a more wallet-friendly business model, food trucks are transitioning from the noise and the fumes. "By electrifying everything we currently run on gas or natural gas — even food trucks — we can create healthier communities, improve air quality, and reduce costs,” said Susie Strife, Director of Sustainability for Boulder County, as per the City of Boulder.
