This page summarizes court settlements of diesel emissions fraud complaints against Volkswagen Group of America (VW). It describes options for affected consumers and serves as an intake point for ideas on how Massachusetts should invest settlement funds.
- This page, Volkswagen Diesel Settlements & Environmental Mitigation, is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Volkswagen Diesel Settlements & Environmental Mitigation
Table of Contents
News & Updates
April 2023
The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued an April 2023 Amendment to its Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP). The BMP is the Commonwealth’s vision for spending the $75 million in settlement funds allocated to Massachusetts over an allowable 15-year timeline.
Goals include helping the state:
- Reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions from the transportation sector;
- Promote electrification of the state’s transportation network; and
- Foster equitable distribution of funding across Massachusetts by considering projects' geographic locations and benefits to environmental justice communities.
The April 2023 Amendment commits Massachusetts full $75 million Volkswagen Settlement allocation for:
- $48.8 million to regional transit authority electric buses and chargers;
- $11.3 million for the purchase and installation of light-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
- $7.5 million to a new electrification-only VW Open Solicitation offering;
- $7.5 million to a prior VW Open Solicitation offering; and
- $50,000 to administrative costs associated with grant disbursements.
See Additional Resources below for the April 2023 Amendment, the December 2019 Amendment, the December 2018 BMP, and related information.
February 2023
MassDEP submitted its seventh semiannual report to the VW Settlement Trustee, describing the agency's progress in implementing projects and summarizing all of the costs it has expended.
See documents related to VW Settlement-funded environmental mitigation in Additional Resources below.
Additional Resources for News & Updates
Settlement-Funded Grant & Incentive Programs
There are six grant programs, funded by the Volkswagen Settlement and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), that are aimed at reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Massachusetts, while supporting electrification of the state's transportation network.
- MassEVIP Direct Current Fast Charging
Provides property owners with publicly accessible parking and educational campuses acquire electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations. - MassEVIP Fleets
Helps Massachusetts cities, towns, state agencies, and public colleges and universities acquire EVs for their fleets. - Multi-Unit Dwelling & Educational Campus Charging
Provides incentives for owners of multi-unit dwellings to acquire EV charging stations. - MassDEP Public Access Charging
Helps property owners and managers with publicly accessible parking acquire EV charging stations. - MassEVIP Workplace & Fleet Charging
Provides incentives for employers and fleet operators to acquire EV charging stations. - Volkswagen Settlement Open Solicitation Grants
Available to public and private entities for eligible projects that will reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Additional Resources for Settlement-Funded Grant & Incentive Programs
About the VW Settlements
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) admitted publicly in 2015 that it had secretly and deliberately installed software "defeat devices" designed to cheat state emissions tests. Nearly 590,000 model year 2009 to 2016 Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche vehicles with 2.0- and 3.0-liter diesel engines that the company sold or leased to American consumers were affected.
Residents of Massachusetts own or lease about 14,000 of the affected vehicles which, due to VW's actions, have emitted smog-causing oxides of nitrogen (NOx) at levels of up to 40 times higher than allowed.
In response to complaints filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general of several states, including Massachusetts, courts have approved a series of partial settlements resolving some aspects of the case. To date, these partial settlements require VW to:
- Offer buy-backs, early lease terminations or emissions control modifications to the owners or lessees of at least 85 percent of all affected vehicles.
- Invest $2 billion to promote the use of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and related infrastructure across the country.
- Establish a $3 billion environmental mitigation trust to fund national and state projects aimed at offsetting the excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions caused by VW's actions.
Under terms of the court-approved partial settlements, Massachusetts is expected to receive more than $75 million to spend on environmental mitigation projects. MassDEP is developing a plan for investing these funds in better air quality, cleaner transportation, and healthier communities across the state.
Eligible Mitigation Actions
The following types of projects are eligible or VW Settlement Trust funding:
- Purchase and/or repower of specific diesel on-road and off-road engines, vehicles, vessels and off-road equipment.
- Installation or re-power of airport ground support equipment and shore-side power systems for ocean-going vessels.
- Purchase, installation and maintenance of charging stations or hydrogen dispensing equipment for light-duty zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).
- Projects eligible under the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA).
See the document in Additional Resources below for more detailed information about eligible projects.
Additional Resources for Eligible Mitigation Actions
If You Own or Lease an Affected Vehicle
If you purchased or leased an affected Volkswagen or Audi vehicle with a 2.0-liter diesel engine or Volkswagen, Audi or Porsche vehicle with a 3.0-liter diesel engine, the court-approved partial settlements give you the option of either:
- Selling it back to Volkswagen (VW) or terminating your VW lease without penalty, or
- Bringing your vehicle to a local VW dealer for an Approved Emissions Modification.
Regardless of the option you select, you will also receive financial restitution from VW. The amount will depend on vehicle type and whether you own or lease. For additional information, visit: VWCourtSettlement.com
Stay Informed
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