On Monday, Oct. 21 the first Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust funding program launched for projects throughout California. The Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program provides $130 million to replace internal combustion engine transit, school, and shuttle buses with zero-emission vehicles and helps early adoption of new technologies in heavy-duty applications that reduce NOX, diesel particulate matter, and other harmful emissions affecting children, the elderly, and other priority populations.
California will provide funding to bus owners in two installments of $65 million each, available two years apart. The first installment provides up to $400,000 for a new zero-emission bus. California expects to fund about 425 Class 4 through 8 zero-emission buses. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will administer the funding statewide with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) providing program and fiscal oversight.
A complete listing of program requirements for Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Buses can be found at http://vwbusmoney.valleyair.org/or by calling program staff (toll-free) at 1-833-BUS-MONEY.
The Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program is part of the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust, a nationwide program that provides $423 million for California to fully mitigate the excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions caused by VW’s use of emissions testing defeat devices in VW diesel vehicles. California’s funding will support advanced technology vehicle and equipment deployments and accelerate the zero‑emission transformation of the heavy‑duty fleet. More than 50 percent of the total project funds are expected to benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities.
The remaining VW Mitigation Trust project categories will support the statewide replacement of on-road freight trucks, forklifts, port cargo handling equipment, commercial marine vessels, and freight switcher locomotives, as well as the installation of light-duty zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.
For more information on the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust or the project categories, visit ww2.arb.ca.gov/vwmitigationtrust.
