DOE Loan Programs Office — Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan
U.S. Department of Energy — Loan Programs Office (LPO)
Typically $100M–$1B+
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Treasury-rate loans to make clean vehicles in America
The DOE ATVM Loan Program offers direct low-interest loans to U.S. manufacturers of advanced technology vehicles and components — including EVs, EV batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen vehicles, and now medium/heavy-duty trucks, locomotives, maritime vessels, and aircraft. Interest rates are set at the Treasury rate for the loan term with no credit spread. Loans can be used to build, retool, expand, or reequip U.S. manufacturing facilities. No formal minimum loan size but typical awards are well above $100M, making this best suited for growth-stage and mid-market manufacturers.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Amount
- No published minimum, but typical loans are $100 million to over $1 billion, reflecting large-scale U.S. manufacturing retooling or greenfield facility construction. Small, purpose-built manufacturers (e.g. EV startups) have received loans as low as $50M but sub-$50M is uncommon. Interest rate = applicable U.S. Treasury rate for loan term; closing fee 0.1% of principal.
- Realistic amount
- Median loan is $400M–$600M for established automakers retooling; earlier-stage EV manufacturers have received $50M–$200M. Few SMBs qualify at current typical scale.
- Deadline
- Rolling — request a no-fee pre-application consultation with DOE's Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) at any time
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- advance
Who qualifies
- Must be a U.S. manufacturer of eligible advanced technology vehicles or qualifying components
- Eligible vehicle categories: light-duty EVs, PHEVs, fuel cell vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles achieving ≥25% better fuel economy; medium/heavy-duty vehicles; trains and locomotives; maritime vessels; aircraft; hyperloop technology
- Eligible components: EV batteries, electric motors, power electronics, fuel cells, charging equipment, hydrogen storage
- Manufacturing must occur in the United States
- Must not have filed for bankruptcy within 10 years (pre-application requirement)
- Must demonstrate creditworthiness and project feasibility through LPO due diligence
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Restricted to industry: advanced technology vehicle manufacturing
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Manufacturing facility construction, purchase, or retooling
- Equipment and machinery for vehicle or component manufacturing
- Engineering and design costs tied to the manufacturing facility
- Costs of converting existing manufacturing plants from conventional to advanced technology vehicles
Ineligible expenses
- General working capital or operating expenses unrelated to the manufacturing project
- R&D costs (ATVM is for manufacturing, not research)
- Projects not manufacturing eligible advanced technology vehicles or components in the U.S.
- Refinancing existing debt
How to apply
-
1
Pre-application consultation (free, no commitment)
Email atvmloan@hq.doe.gov to request a consultation with LPO staff. Discuss project scope, technology eligibility, and LPO's process. No formal application required at this stage.
-
2
Submit Part I application
Formal application covering project description, technology overview, market analysis, and company financials. Review Guidance for Applicants (January 2025). Part I results in LPO's preliminary assessment of project viability.
-
3
LPO due diligence (6–24 months)
LPO engages independent technical, financial, and legal advisors to evaluate the project. Applicant bears third-party advisor costs. LPO issues a Conditional Commitment if due diligence is successful.
-
4
Negotiate and close loan
Negotiate loan terms, covenants, and security agreements. Pay closing fee (0.10% of principal) and annual maintenance fee. Loan closes and funds become available on a draw-down basis tied to project milestones.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 336, 336390, 336111, 336120
Start with a pre-application consult — it's free and non-binding. LPO staff informally screen project fit and signal likelihood of approval before you invest hundreds of hours in due diligence.
Deadline & timing
No application deadlines. ATVM is a standing program. Potential applicants begin with a no-fee pre-application consultation by emailing atvmloan@hq.doe.gov. Process from first contact to conditional commitment typically takes 6 months to 2+ years depending on project complexity.
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