The Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust settlement has five funding categories, three of which are currently open. Over a 10-year period, the Trust will provide $423 million for California to mitigate excess nitrogen oxide emissions caused by VW’s use of illegal emissions testing defeat devices in certain VW diesel vehicles. The categories currently open are:

Combustion Freight and Marine Projects - Approximately $10 million in funding is available to replace freight trucks (including drayage trucks, dump trucks, waste haulers, and concrete mixers), freight switcher locomotives, ferries, tugboats, and towboats. At least 50% of funding will be awarded to projects that reduce emissions in California’s disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information about this category or to submit a project application, visit the VW Mitigation Trust web page at https://xappprod.aqmd.gov/vw/combustion.html. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and will close when all funds have been dispersed.

VW Zero-emission Freight and Marine Program - Applications are being accepted statewide for projects that will scrap and replace airport ground support equipment, heavy-lift forklifts (> 8,000 lbs. of lift capacity), port cargo handling equipment, or ferry, tugboat, or towboat engines with zero-emission equipment, or install portside shore power systems at berths for use by unregulated oceangoing vessels. At least 75% of funding will be awarded to projects that reduce emissions in California’s disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information about this category or to submit a project application, visit the program web page at https://www.californiavwtrust.org/zero-freight-marine/. Applications are being accepted on a first come, first-served basis. 

Zero-Emission Transit and Shuttle Buses – Applications are being accepted for replacing older, high-polluting Class 4-8 transit and shuttle buses with new battery-electric or fuel cell buses. Replacing an older bus with a zero-emission bus eliminates particulate matter and other pollutants that impact passengers riding the buses, as well as residents throughout California communities. Approximately $2 million in funding is still available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Funding is available statewide to public and private entities, with applications available through online portals only. Scrapping of old vehicles/equipment engines is required, and at least 50 percent of the funding is expected to reduce emissions in disadvantaged or low-income communities. For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit http://vwbusmoney.valleyair.org/.