Volkswagen Settlement Grants

Grants are available to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as part of the state’s commitment to cleaner transportation. Funded by Maryland’s settlement with Volkswagen over its emissions violations, these grants aim to support the purchase and installation of equipment, making EV charging more accessible and convenient across the state. By investing in this infrastructure, Maryland is reducing air pollution, promoting sustainable transportation, and helping residents and businesses transition to cleaner energy solutions.

In 2015, the EPA and California regulators found that Volkswagen and Audi had installed illegal software in their diesel cars to cheat emissions tests. This "defeat device" allowed the cars to release more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution than allowed by law. About 550,000 cars in the U.S. were affected, including 16,000 in Maryland.

As part of a legal settlement, Volkswagen agreed to create a $2.9 billion Environmental Mitigation Trust to offset the pollution caused by these vehicles. Maryland received about $75.7 million from this fund to support projects that cut diesel emissions. About 15% of the state's funds can be used for building Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) charging infrastructure.

The application period is open until April 18, 2025 to apply for the final round of funding for chargers. Please read the requirements carefully before submitting project proposals as the frameworks have been updated to reflect comments from previous rounds.

Apply for the Charge Ahead Grant

Apply for the Electric Corridors Grant

Project proposal form

Archives

Charge Ahead Grant Round 2 Awards

Electric Corridors Grant Round 2 Awards

Maryland’s Mitigation Plan (2019)

Projects approved for funding by the Volkswagen Trustee:

Category	Funded Project Description	Amount
Dray trucks	$571,676 for the purchase of 15 newer, cleaner drayage trucks at the Port of Baltimore.	$558,020
School Buses	$2,544,421 for the purchase of 28 new, alternative fuel school buses. The project will replace 22 old diesel school buses with new ultra-low NOx propane school buses, and replace 6 old diesel school buses with new zero-emission electric school buses.	$1,643,411
Refuse trucks	$1,267,550 for the purchase of 22 new, alternative fuel heavy-duty trucks. The project will replace 20 diesel trucks with near-zero CNG heavy-duty trucks, and two heavy-duty diesel yard trucks with new zero-emission electric trucks.	$572,600
Shuttle buses	$524,641.97 for the purchase of 3 new all-electric shuttle buses.	$178,299
Ground support buses	$327,270 for the purchase of 2 pieces of all-electric airport ground support equipment.	$0
MDOT trucks	$3,274,339 for the purchase of 19 new heavy-duty diesel trucks owned by the Maryland Department of Transportation	$840,101
Transit buses	$10,413,356 for the purchase of 12 new electric transit buses owned by the Maryland Department of Transportation	$8,431,572
Marine vessels	$522,675 for the repower of two older diesel marine vessels with new Tier 4 diesel engines	$576,220
Port forklifts	$1,197,450 for the purchase of five new all-electric powered forklifts and port cargo handling equipment to replace seven older diesel-powered pieces of equipment.	$0
Freight switchers	$3,838,000 to replace two diesel freight switchers built in 1952 with new near-zero Tier 4 emission standards diesel freight switchers.	$3,838,000
Transit buses	$5,519,804 for the purchase of 17 new transit buses. The project will replace 8 diesel buses with zero-emission electric buses, 5 diesel buses with CNG powered buses, and replace 8 diesel buses with 6 new, cleaner diesel buses.	$3,839,327
Marine engines	$546,612 for the replacement of 5 unregulated marine engines with new Tier 3 marine engines.	$96,645
Gantry cranes	$12,120,000 for the replacement of 6 diesel-powered Rubber Tire Gantry (RTG) cranes at Seagirt Marine Terminal with electric Rubber Tire Gantry cranes.	$0
Heavy duty trucks	$1,332,450 for the replacement of 64 older heavy-duty diesel trucks with new, cleaner heavy-duty diesel trucks.	$527,6945
Buses	$5,729,662.55 for the replacement of 153 older heavy-duty diesel trucks with new, cleaner heavy-duty diesel trucks and alternative-fueled trucks. The project will replace 2 diesel trucks with new zero-emission electric trucks, 7 diesel trucks with new propane trucks, and 144 diesel trucks with new diesel trucks.	$2,017,766
Buses	$5,343,945 for the replacement of 39 older heavy-duty diesel buses with new, diesel and alternative-fueled buses. The project will replace 2 diesel buses with new zero-emission electric buses and 37 diesel buses with new diesel buses.	$4,460,856
Level 3 chargers	$11,657,135 for the purchase and installation of Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure. Funding is available for Level 2 charging at workplaces and Level 3-DC Fast Charging along alternative fuel corridors and at charging hubs.	$2,371,681