Volkswagen settlement projects

This grant opportunity provided funds to buy and install level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at state, city, and county workplaces in Washington. Ecology awarded grants to eight government workplaces in six counties to fund and install 38 level two chargers and one DC fast charger. 

Level 2 charging stations are well-suited for workplace charging, adding about 10-20 miles of range per hour of charging. Projects are intended to support public employee adoption of electric vehicles.

This grant opportunity supports the purchase and installation of publicly available DC fast chargers along high-traffic roadways in Washington. We have awarded grants to 14 organizations to install 38 charging stations in eight counties across the state. 

Grants are intended to increase the availability and visibility of EV charging stations and reduce "range anxiety" for current and future EV drivers. DC fast charging stations can add more than 100 miles of range in 30 minutes, depending on the type of vehicle and station power.

In partnership with our Clean Diesel Program, we awarded grants to two Washington fire departments to help replace two diesel fire trucks with electric models. Among the first in the country, these vehicles will improve air quality and reduce operating noise, while helping firefighters respond to emergencies in their communities.

In 2021, Governor Jay Inslee announced zero-emission vehicle targets for state fleets, which set a goal for at least 40% of all state government passenger vehicles to be zero emissions by 2025. Ecology has grants in place with four state agencies to add more than 100 electric vehicles to the state fleet. This will reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and save maintenance and fuel costs for the state.

We have awarded grants to 22 school districts in 14 counties statewide for the purchase of 40 all-electric school buses. Each award helped cover the cost difference between a diesel school bus and an all-electric school bus, including the necessary charging infrastructure. Unlike school buses powered by diesel or propane, electric school buses do not have tailpipe emissions. This effort is increasing public awareness and confidence in zero-emission vehicle technology and improving air quality for more than 3,000 student passengers every day!

Ecology has grants in place with seven transit agencies to purchase 66 all-electric transit buses in Benton, Clark, Franklin, King, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties. Grants were awarded under both the state penalty and federal settlement. These projects provide zero-emission public transportation options, reducing harmful emissions and improving the transit experience for drivers, passengers, and communities.

We have a $35 million grant in place with Washington State Ferries (WSF) to convert the first Washington Jumbo Mark II ferry — the largest class of vessel in the fleet — to hybrid-electric power. WSF has secured separate funding for shore power infrastructure so this ferry can operate fully on electric power.

This investment led to further state funding for converting the other two Jumbo Mark II vessels in the fleet, using the design of the first vessel. Additionally, WSF is now planning to electrify the entire state ferry fleet.

This grant is a pivotal state investment in improved regional air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

We have awarded three grants to install shore power for ocean-going vessels at three public ports in Pierce and King counties. Grants were awarded under both the state penalty and federal settlement. 

Shore power allows ships to plug in while at berth, using clean electricity instead of dirty marine fuel for their power needs. These projects will reduce harmful emissions in near-port communities.

Approximately $50,000 was allocated to the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s Clean Truck Program. This program provides loan-loss reserve to help private drayage truck owners secure low-interest loans to purchase cleaner diesel drayage trucks.

We have awarded $12 million to purchase 335 buses in 83 school districts in Washington. Each $35,000 award covered the cost to replace a pre-2001 dirty diesel school bus with a new gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, or electric school bus.