Volkswagen Settlement Funds Pave Way for Fleet Vehicle Replacement
ROUSH CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) reviews that in 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a complaint against Volkswagen alleging the automaker violated the Clean Air Act. During normal operation and use, Volkswagen vehicles emitted levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) significantly in excess of EPA’s compliance levels. Volkswagen was found guilty and agreed to spend up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating on emissions. Settlement funds will be used to buy back and/or modify vehicles, and to support national- and state-level projects to reduce NOx emissions. ROUSH CleanTech notes that the settlement amount is a lot of money, and some in the propane industry could have access to funds for fleet vehicle replacement. Vehicles from ROUSH CleanTech, and others, could be eligible for funding,…
ROUSH CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) reviews that in 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a complaint against Volkswagen alleging the automaker violated the Clean Air Act. During normal operation and use, Volkswagen vehicles emitted levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) significantly in excess of EPA’s compliance levels.
Volkswagen was found guilty and agreed to spend up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating on emissions. Settlement funds will be used to buy back and/or modify vehicles, and to support national- and state-level projects to reduce NOx emissions.
ROUSH CleanTech notes that the settlement amount is a lot of money, and some in the propane industry could have access to funds for fleet vehicle replacement. Vehicles from ROUSH CleanTech, and others, could be eligible for funding, but it depends on state mitigation plans. The company’s propane fuel system for the Ford 6.8- liter, V-10 engine in school buses and commercial trucks is certified to the optional low NOx level of 0.05 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr). The propane engines are 75% cleaner than the current NOx emissions standard.
The funding process started in October 2016. State beneficiaries have been named, and now each state will file its mitigation plan for trustee approval. Once plans are approved, the state has 10 years to allocate its funding.
States are receiving between $8 million and more than $400 million. The amount depends on the number of Volkswagen vehicles originally sold in each state that were affected by the Clean Air Act violation.
Each state has been assigned a beneficiary, usually an environmental agency or government energy entity. A state listing can be found on the VW Settlement Clearinghouse website, vwclearinghouse.org.
ROUSH CleanTech encourages propane companies to contact their local school board representative directly to encourage them to consider school buses that emit less NOx, such as the Blue Bird Vision propane bus.
Information on how to communicate with school board representatives can be found on school district websites. ROUSH CleanTech has been actively involved in helping others learn how to potentially access environmental mitigation funds. To learn more, or get involved, contact Chelsea Jenkins at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to discuss how to best approach state agencies.
(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, July 2, 2018)
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