News

Public feedback sought on draft guidance document 

The Volkswagen Light Duty Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a $5 million statewide program funding electric vehicle infrastructure, is scheduled to open February 2021.  

The funding will be available to purchase and install new charging stations for battery–electric vehicles while:  

• Directing a minimum of 50 percent of funds to disadvantaged and low-income communities; and  
• Expanding EV charging access statewide and closing geographic gaps in coverage.  

In advance of the solicitation, the VW administrator developed a draft guidance document and is seeking comments from interested parties. Deadline for feedback is January 28, 2021.  Public comments and questions may be submitted online through the program website.

For more information, view the press release.

Today, the California Energy Commission approved nearly $25 million in funding for the installation of 30 light-duty hydrogen stations. This funding includes $5 million of VW funding.  For more information, see the press release.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is announcing the availability of $35 million in Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust funding statewide for the following projects:

• Scrap and replace airport ground support equipment, port cargo handling equipment and forklifts with new zero-emission technologies;
• Scrap and repower marine engines for ferries, tugboats, and towboats with new zero-emission, all-electric or fuel-cell, technologies; and
• Install shore power at berths that serve ocean-going vessels.

The funding is being offered statewide through a competitive solicitation and applications will be ranked on potential reductions of NOx emissions. All funded equipment and vehicles must operate in California. A complete listing of all eligibility and funding requirements are detailed in the program solicitation. At least 75 percent of the $35 million allocation is expected to benefit disadvantaged and low-income communities.

A separate solicitation for this category offering an additional $35 million is tentatively scheduled to be released in mid-2022.

Applications are being accepted online and the application deadline is 1 p.m. PDT, August 31, 2020.

To get more information and apply, visit the program website.

View press release

The California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program (formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) announces the availability of up to $115.7 million in grant funds, subject to future appropriations and Clean Transportation Program Investment Plan funding allocations, for hydrogen refueling infrastructure projects that will expand California’s early commercial light duty hydrogen refueling and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) markets and to accommodate the projected FCEV roll-out in 2021-2024. Of the up-to amount, $45.7 million is currently available.

For more information: https://www.energy.ca.gov/solicitations/2019-12/gfo-19-602-hydrogen-refueling-infrastructure

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pleased to announce that the application period for the competitive Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Combustion Freight and Marine project funding is open. This solicitation is open to eligible owners of in-use freight trucks, switcher locomotives, ferries, tugboats and towboats throughout California.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is administering $60 million statewide in two equal installments of $30 million each for projects that will repower or replace older internal combustion vehicles, equipment and engines with the cleanest commercially available internal combustion or hybrid technologies certified by CARB.

The Combustion Freight and Marine 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 illegal 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.

For more information on the Combustion Freight and Marine program, visit www.aqmd.gov/vw/ or call the VW Combustion Freight and Marine Hotline at (833) 894-7267.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pleased to announce that the application period for the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Zero Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program is open. This solicitation is open to eligible bus owners throughout California, and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is administering $130 million statewide in two equal installments of $65 million each for replacing internal combustion engine buses with zero emission buses.

The Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program is part of the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust, a nationwide program that provides about $423 million for California to fully mitigate the excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions caused by VW’s use of illegal 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.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District at (833) 287-6663.

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