Engines Off Mobile Grant program celebrates 100th electrified food truck, Kitty Beanz Coffee

Media contact: Jenn Fields, media and communications specialist, jfields@raqc.org, 303-502-7342.

Converting her food truck to solar-electric operations has opened new opportunities for Alicia Lombardo, the owner and operator Kitty Beanz Coffee. Lombardo is based in Aurora but travels all over Colorado to serve coffee and breakfast at multi-day events, often in rural areas in the mountains. Her food truck’s electric power station handles multiple days of operation easily, and her business can now participate in events that prioritize food trucks without generator noise and emissions.

Even when the events don’t require electrification, her customers appreciate it. “My customers are always commenting on how nice it is that I no longer have the fumes and noise,” Lombardo said.

The Engines Off Mobile Grants program celebrated a milestone this fall when Kitty Beanz Coffee became the 100th food truck to convert to cleaner, quieter electric operations through support from this voluntary emissions-reduction program.

Food trucks have traditionally run their daily operations — five to 10 hours of food prep, sales, and clean up — on diesel and gasoline generators, which are a significant source of emissions that create ozone pollution in the region. Modern power stations and battery storage let these small businesses electrify their operations, creating cleaner air for employees and patrons alike.

The RAQC’s popular Engines Off Mobile Grants provide support and financial assistance to food trucks and other mobile business owners who wish to switch to electric power. Electrifying these mobile businesses improves air quality in the region: Data provided by grantee businesses shows that electrified food trucks save an average of 1,760 hours of diesel generator use annually. As diesel and gasoline prices climb, electrification also comes with significant savings for their businesses.

“We have heard from so many food truck owners who are eager to electrify,” said Lisa Strachan, program coordinator for Engines Off Mobile Grants. “The RAQC supports this program because of the emissions reductions, but the small business owners we work with see a lot of co-benefits. They experience a quieter, healthier environment for themselves, their employees, and customers through the use of battery energy systems,  and they’re saving on diesel, which is a huge expense for their businesses.”

Alicia Lombardo of Aurora stands in front of her food truck, Kitty Beanz Coffee. This fall, Kitty Beanz Coffee became the 100th food truck to switch to electric operations through support from the RAQC’s Engines Off Mobile Grants program. Photo Credit: Alicia Lombardo. 

Kitty Beanz Coffee serves locally made baked goods, breakfast burritos, and coffee from a local roaster, all out of her pet-friendly food truck, which is decked out in cat-themed decor. Lombardo — assisted by her feline business partners Zoe and Mr. Purrman — has always had conservation in mind with her business and was already serving organic coffee in compostable cups and using reusable milk jugs. Electrifying was the next step in building her sustainable small business. The truck has a strong customer base in athletic events and conservation-themed events, and avoiding the noise, fumes, and environmental impacts associated with diesel generators has already had a positive effect on her business, Lombardo said.

“Running our service on diesel was so noisy, and I was always worried about breathing in the exhaust,” Lombardo said. “Ditching the generator and running on the power station has been a huge improvement for customer experience, and my work day is a little easier. It’s simpler, quieter, and I’m not worried about the environmental and health impact of simply running my business. I am incredibly grateful to have received the Engines Off grant and love telling other food trucks about the program in hopes of getting them to make the switch as well.” 

The Engines Off Mobile Grant provides awards up to $20,000 for the conversion to electric power stations. Businesses that recycle a gas or diesel generator may be eligible for an 80%/20% cost share award; businesses without a generator may be eligible for a 70%/30% cost share award. Engines Off also helps business owners connect with Colorado-based equipment and service providers. Some business owners choose to work with our partners at ACE Hardware to install their own systems. Many grantees work with vetted Engines Off partners, including Trek Systems and Joule Case, for their equipment and installation. 

In its most recent round of applications, the Engines Off Mobile Grant program supported 35 unique businesses converting to cleaner operations. Due to high demand, the program is now closed for 2026. Pending funding availability, the grant is set to reopen in 2027. Electrifying operations requires planning, so mobile businesses interested in switching to electric are advised to begin the application process for the next round of funding in advance. Learn more about the grant at EnginesOff.org/food-trucks and reach out to RAQC program coordinators Jane Allen and Lisa Strachan with application questions.