Volkswagen Settlement
North Carolina's VW Grant Program
Governor Roy Cooper designated DEQ to manage North Carolina’s share of the VW Settlement, an agreement between the German automaker and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DEQ’s Division of Air Quality received more than $92 million from the national settlement with the automaker to distribute to qualifying projects.
Since 2019, DAQ has reviewed funding applications and awarded grants and rebates for a variety of transportation projects that will together prevent an estimated 377 tons of nitrogen oxide from entering the atmosphere and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Across both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the N.C. Volkswagen Settlement Program, DAQ awarded more than $77 million for the replacement of old, dirty diesel vehicles with clean alternatives, including electric vehicles. And DAQ awarded another $15 million for the installation of DC Fast and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
Results
Phase 1 and 2 awards included:
- 84 all-electric, zero-emission vehicles and 350 lower-emission vehicles, including school buses, transit buses and heavy-duty trucks and equipment.
- 166 DC Fast charging ports at 86 sites.
- 901 Level 2 charging ports at 224 sites.
Altogether, 57% of the funding went to projects in rural counties. In Phase 2, 43% of funding was awarded to projects in the identified historically under-resourced counties. DAQ used 15% of the funding, the maximum allowed by the settlement, for charging infrastructure projects.
Our new interactive map showcases all-electric vehicles and EV chargers funded by the N.C. Volkswagen Settlement now operating in the state. Highlighted projects include Level 2 and DC Fast charging stations and all-electric school buses, transit buses and heavy-duty vehicles.
Check out the Map