What Clean Air Choice does

Clean Air Choice is an educational and outreach program operated by the American Lung Association since 1999, focused on accelerating adoption of cleaner transportation fuels and electric vehicle infrastructure in the United States. The program hosts two U.S. Department of Energy-designated Clean Cities Coalitions — the North Dakota Clean Cities (designated 1998) and the Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition, designated 2001 — and delivers complimentary fleet assessments, technical assistance, DERA grant administration, and training through the Biobased Academy. Its service portfolio spans educational content on biodiesel, ethanol (E85), electric vehicles, natural gas, propane, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, plus an expanding portfolio of DOE-funded projects including Electric Nation (serving 21+ Tribal Nations), the Twin Cities EV Community Mobility Network, COOL EVs cold-weather research, Communities LEAP, EMPOWER Workplace Charging, CIISR, STELLAR, and the 10-state Great River Corridor Collaboration.

The program does not develop proprietary technology; instead it serves as a trusted, neutral intermediary that connects fleets, fuel retailers, utilities, automakers, school districts, tribal nations, and community organizations with federal and state funding programs. Its go-to-market is coalition-based, community-led, and event-driven, reaching stakeholders through the Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience Building, the Forth Roadmap Conference, fuel promotional events at retailers like Kwik Trip, and online training through Biobased Academy. Core partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, the EPA, Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, HOURCAR, the Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Native Sun Community Power Development, and 10 sister Clean Cities coalitions stretching from Minnesota to Louisiana.

The business model is grant-funded: revenue derives primarily from federal sources (DOE Clean Cities program, EPA DERA), state-level grants (e.g., Minnesota Department of Commerce electric school bus and AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure grants), American Lung Association organizational support, and modest fees from Biobased Academy certification courses approved for NAFA and GBCI continuing education credits. The program is headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, operates with a team of approximately eight, and serves as an official federally-designated intermediary that private-sector competitors cannot replicate.

Name

Clean Air Choice

Legal name

American Lung Association (Clean Air Choice Program)

Website

https://cleanairchoice.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Clean Air Choice is an American Lung Association program, operating two DOE-designated Clean Cities Coalitions in Minnesota and North Dakota, that delivers free fleet assessments, grant administration, training, and outreach to accelerate adoption of cleaner transportation fuels and electric vehicles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Transportation Education and Outreach Services

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Mitigation Programs (Energy, Industry, Transport) (BPADALAC)

Keywords

• Clean fuel education
• Alternative fuels outreach
• Fleet electrification consulting
• Clean Cities coalition
• EV infrastructure planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Clean Air Choice operates primarily through government funding from programs including the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program, EPA Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants, and various state-level grants for clean fuel infrastructure and electric vehicle adoption.
2. American Lung Association Support: As a program of the American Lung Association, Clean Air Choice receives organizational support and infrastructure from its parent 501(c)(3) charitable organization (Tax ID: 13-1632524).
3. Training Program Revenue: Biobased Academy offers professional certification courses including Biobased Certified Fleet Professional (BCFP) and Biobased Certified Facilities & Property Professional (BCPP), with continuing education credits approved by organizations like NAFA and GBCI.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clean Air Choice is an educational and outreach program of the American Lung Association that promotes adoption of cleaner transportation fuels and electric vehicles. It coordinates the Minnesota and North Dakota Clean Cities Coalitions, provides complimentary fleet assessments and technical assistance, administers federal DERA grants, runs Biobased Academy professional certification courses, and deploys EV charging infrastructure through DOE-funded projects across multiple states.

Product overview

Clean Air Choice is an educational and outreach program launched by the American Lung Association in 1999 to educate consumers about how fuel and energy choices affect the environment and air quality. The program does not offer a unified software product but rather provides a comprehensive portfolio of educational resources, training programs, grant assistance, and coalition coordination focused on clean transportation fuels. The core offerings include educational content about various clean fuels (Biodiesel, Ethanol/E85, Electric Vehicles, Natural Gas/RNG, Propane, Renewable Diesel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and Clean Energy), as well as coalition programs (Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition and North Dakota Clean Cities). Additional programs include fleet recognition initiatives like the B20 Club of Illinois, professional training through Biobased Academy (BCFP and BCPP certifications), grant programs like DERA, and various EV infrastructure projects including Electric Nation, Twin Cities EV Community Mobility Network, COOL EVs, Communities LEAP, EMPOWER Workplace Charging, CIISR, and STELLAR. The organization also provides complimentary fleet assessment services and promotes clean fuel adoption through events, resources, and partnerships with public and private stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B20 Club of Illinois: A program operated by American Lung Association recognizing and supporting Illinois fleets and organizations with strong support for use and production of B20 and higher blends of biodiesel.
• Biobased Academy
• Electric Nation
• Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition (MC3)
• North Dakota Clean Cities (NDCC)

Products and services

• Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition (MC3) A U.S. Department of Energy-designated Clean Cities coalition coordinated by the American Lung Association, providing direct technical assistance, complimentary fleet assessments, and clean fuel education to Minnesota organizations across government, commercial fleets, fuel retailers, and community stakeholders.
• North Dakota Clean Cities (NDCC) A U.S. Department of Energy-designated Clean Cities coalition managed by the American Lung Association, providing direct technical assistance, fleet assessments, and EV training for dealerships to North Dakota organizations.
• Biobased Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• Biodiesel at B100 can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 86% compared to petroleum diesel
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Native Sun Community Power DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-led nonprofit leading the Upper Midwest Inter-Tribal EV Charging Community Network project. Executive Director Robert Blake. Received $6.67M DOE award for EV charging infrastructure serving Standing Rock, Red Lake, and 21+ additional Tribal Nations.
• Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority (SAGE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally chartered Section 17 Corporation leading Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's renewable energy development. Co-leading Electric Nation project with Native Sun for EV charging deployment.
• Xcel EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver member of MC3. Utility partner providing EV charging support and workforce training in Minnesota and North Dakota through projects like COOL EVs.
• Great River EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver member of MC3. Electric cooperative providing utility perspective on EV charging infrastructure and workplace charging programs.
• City of Saint PaulmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Twin Cities EV Community Mobility Network, leasing 150+ EVs for Evie Carshare program and supporting EV Spot Charging infrastructure.
• City of MinneapolismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Twin Cities EV Community Mobility Network hosting EV Spot Charging locations and supporting equitable EV access.
• HOURCARmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit carsharing organization operating Evie Carshare fleet of 150+ EVs in Twin Cities area under contract with City of Saint Paul.
• Kwik TripminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFuel retailer hosting promotional events for biodiesel and ethanol blends. Multiple locations in Minnesota serve as fuel promo event venues.
• Minnesota Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing Electric School Bus grants (up to 90% bus cost, 95% infrastructure) and AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure grants.
• Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency stakeholder supporting Electric Nation project and clean transportation initiatives in Minnesota.
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)majorTechnology or IntegrationCIISR project partner releasing reports on EV charging service connection barriers and solutions. Research focuses on streamlining utility service connections for small fleets and multifamily housing.
• ForthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobility nonprofit leading EMPOWER workplace charging program. Partner in STELLAR initiative and Powering Communities workshop, connecting Clean Air Choice with national resources.
• Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions (10 states)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat River Corridor Collaboration includes coalitions from Minnesota to Louisiana: Minnesota Clean Cities, Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation, Arkansas Clean Cities, Eastern Missouri ACT, Missouri River Energy Services, Iowa Clean Cities, Louisiana Clean Fuels, Mississippi Clean Fuels Coalition, Middle West Tennessee Clean Fuels.
• United Soybean BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural organization partnering on Biobased Academy training program, promoting biobased products made from U.S. soy.
• Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based organization providing support for STELLAR initiative engaging 13 community-based organizations in transportation decarbonization.
• Cass County ElectricminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Dakota stakeholder/utility providing support for clean transportation and EV infrastructure in North Dakota.
• Minnesota Power/AlleteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility stakeholder supporting Electric Nation project and clean transportation in Minnesota.
• Otter Tail PowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility stakeholder supporting Electric Nation project in North Dakota.
• NAFA Fleet Management AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association approving Biobased Academy courses for CAFM continuing professional education credits (3.5 hours BCFP, 3.0 hours BCPP).
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization approving Biobased Academy BCPP course for 6.0 continuing education hours applicable toward LEED and WELL Accredited Professionals requirements.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Forth: Oregon-based mobility advocacy nonprofit focused on electric transportation, workplace charging, and equitable community electrification. Forth is a direct peer in clean transportation education and outreach, and is an existing Clean Air Choice partner (EMPOWER, STELLAR, Forth Roadmap Conference).
• Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT): Chicago-based nonprofit working on transportation decarbonization, affordable mobility, and community-based EV adoption. CNT is a direct peer in community-focused electrification and is an existing Clean Air Choice partner on the STELLAR initiative.
• Plug In America: National nonprofit consumer advocacy organization promoting plug-in electric vehicle adoption through education, policy, and consumer awareness. Directly comparable as an EV-focused education and outreach nonprofit, though operating at national scale.
• Electric Auto Association: Volunteer-based nonprofit promoting electric vehicle awareness, education, and adoption through local chapter events and ride-and-drives. Directly comparable mission around consumer EV education, with similar grassroots event-driven model.
• National Association of Regional Clean Cities Coalitions: The DOE Clean Cities and Communities network of 90+ designated coalitions, of which Clean Air Choice hosts two (MC3 and NDCC). Directly comparable as a network of regional coalitions delivering the same DOE-designated mission of clean fuel education, fleet assessment, and infrastructure planning.
• North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE): Nonprofit focused on advancing efficient and clean freight transportation through research, guidance, and industry collaboration. Directly comparable as a clean transportation research and education nonprofit, and is cited in Clean Air Choice's outreach ecosystem.

Regional players

• Drive Electric Minnesota: Minnesota statewide EV consumer education coalition promoting EV adoption through events and partnerships. Comparable in EV education mission but operates as a dedicated EV coalition, distinct from Clean Air Choice's broader multi-fuel and coalition-coordinator scope.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club: Large national environmental advocacy nonprofit with an active Beyond Coal, Clean Transportation, and Electric Vehicle Initiative. Comparable as an advocacy organization engaging on clean transportation policy, but operating at significantly larger national scale with broader environmental mission.
• Union of Concerned Scientists: National science-based nonprofit advocating on climate, clean vehicles, and sustainable transportation. Comparable as a science-and-policy-driven clean transportation advocate, but with a much broader research and policy portfolio than Clean Air Choice's coalition-based delivery.
• American Lung Association (parent): National health-focused nonprofit and Clean Air Choice's parent organization. Comparable on mission alignment around air quality and health, but with significantly broader scope (research, advocacy, patient support) beyond Clean Air Choice's clean transportation focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CleanAirChoice2
• Facebookfacebook.com/ALACleanAir
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ndcleancities
• Instagraminstagram.com/northdakotacleancities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clean Air Choice