Volkswagen enforcement action grants
We use funds from the Volkswagen settlement to reduce air pollution in communities affected by harmful diesel exhaust. Washington will receive $141 million from Volkswagen to settle violations of the state and federal Clean Air Acts. The funds are the result of a $112.7 million federal settlement negotiated by EPA and $28.4 million from a separate state settlement.
Under the settlements, money can be invested in projects that replace or repower eligible vehicles, vessels, and equipment with new less-polluting diesel engines; replacing with alternate fueled (compressed natural gas, propane, or hybrid) or all-electric engines; and developing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The Governor designated us to lead Washington's efforts to manage the settlement funds.
Funding cycle
- Amount of funding available: Varies – see individual grant guidelines for eligibility
- Grant award limit: Varies – see individual grant guidelines for eligibility
- Amount of matching funds required: Varies – see individual grant guidelines for eligibility
Applications are currently being accepted.
Open and future grants
| Grant | Application materials | Application period |
Award notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rails, Keels, and Wheels |
Information session (online): Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 10 a.m. |
October 15, 2025 – January 8, 2026 |
Second quarter 2026 |
Closed grants
| Grant | Application materials | Award notifications |
|---|---|---|
| Charge Where You Are: Level 2 EV Charging (round 3) | Nov. 2025 | |
| Charge Where You Are: Level 2 EV Charging (round 2) | Fourth quarter 2024 | |
|
Charge Where You Are: Level 2 EV Charging |
Dec. 2023 | |
| Diesel to zero-emission refuse vehicle, street sweeper, freight switcher, and port cargo handling equipment | Dec. 2023 | |
| Electric fire apparatuses | Jan. 2023 |
Funding is available for the following entities:
Rails, Keels, and Wheels
Organizations licensed in Washington including, but not limited to:
- Corporations
- Limited liability companies
- Non-profit organizations (501(c)(3))
- Other legal business entities
- Partnerships
- Multi-unit/-family residential buildings
- Investor-owned utilities and contracted municipal utilities
State, local, or Tribal government and related entities in Washington including, but not limited to:
- Cities and towns
- Clean air agencies
- Counties
- Special districts (such as health districts, fire districts, college districts, school districts, metropolitan municipal corporations)
- State and local parks
- Port authorities or public utility districts and municipal utilities
Rails, Keels, and Wheels – Eligible projects include replacing or repowering:
- Class 4–8 vehicles (weighing 14,001 lbs. and above), model years 1992–2009 including:
- Emergency
- Paratransit
- Local freight
- Freight switcher locomotive
- Tugboat (repower only)
More information about this funding program
After finalizing the scope of each funding opportunity, we submit funding requests (Federal Settlement Appendix D‑4: Beneficiary Eligible Mitigation Action Certifications) to the Trustee.
- Read Washington’s approved funding requests.
- Find out:
Related links
Contact information
Pete Siefer
Diesel Reduction Unit
pete.siefer@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-9146
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