What is LODESTAR?
The Logistics Decarbonization in Strategic Environmental Justice Areas (LODESTAR) program is a project that seeks to demonstrate and document the innovative use case for independent contractors to adopt electric delivery vans that serve urban, suburban, and rural environmental justice (EJ) areas. The program also aims to provide a holistic solution to distribution center electrification that incorporates electrification of both the freight and distribution activity. LODESTAR will uplift EJ and disadvantaged communities through the Last Mile Leadership (LML) scholarship program that will invest in students and businesses who wish to study or deploy clean transportation.
How It Works
Project efforts will engage diverse community stakeholders in an authentic, culturally-relevant manner acknowledging past injustices and identifying collaborative ways to address gaps in transportation and mobility as well as explore opportunities for economic and workforce development.
Five class-5 electric delivery step vans and supporting charging stations will be deployed at a terminal located in Virginia to demonstrate the scalability and repeatability of this technology for last mile delivery while achieving emissions reductions through the use of battery electric technology and charging stations
The Last Mile Leadership Program
The Last Mile Leadership Program (LMLP) is a component of a U.S. Department of Energy project focusing on decarbonization in disadvantage communities of Virginia. This will be a one-time scholarship program that will award 7-10 scholarships ($6000 each) aimed at advancing clean transportation and electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
LMLP Scholarship Requirements
Applicants must apply online between May 22, 2024 – June 30, 2024 (11:59 pm).
Applicants must….
…be an upperclassman in a 2-to-4-year college program (community colleges included).
… be enrolled in a 2-to-4-year college or apprenticeship program in the state of Virginia.
… be in good standing in your academic program.
… have a focus on Clean Transportation.
LMLP Cover Letter Template
Apply for the LMLP
Contact
For questions or more information about the project, contact the project lead below.
Matthew Wade
Virginia Clean Cities Deputy Director
(540) 568-4051