Funding for vehicles, charging infrastructure available to private, public entities 

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is excited to announce the application period for the second round of funding through the 2017 Volkswagen (VW) settlement is open. 

“I encourage public and private entities, as well as tribes and pueblos, to consider applying,” said Environment Department Secretary James Kenney. “This serves as a great opportunity for rural communities to improve electric vehicle fleets and charging infrastructure. It’s time for all New Mexico’s communities – and visitors to our state – to benefit from this environmentally friendly technology.” 

This round of funding, approximately $5 million dollars, is designated for the replacement of eligible diesel-fueled vehicles with alternate-fueled or all-electric vehicles, as well as light duty zero-emission vehicle supply equipment. 

“I look forward to seeing the innovative project proposals that come in as part of the application process,” said NMED Environmental Protection Division Director Sandra Ely. “Not only will the funding benefit funding recipients, the resulting projects will also contribute to mitigating the state’s growing ozone problem and expanding New Mexico’s network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.” 

The application period is open through Nov. 15, 2019. The VW Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation Plan, qualifying project information and the applications for project funding are online at: https://www.env.nm.gov/air- quality/vw-settlement/. NMED anticipates announcing projects selected for funding before the end of the calendar year. 

The federal settlement was reached after VW admitted to installing devices on diesel passenger vehicles that misrepresented the amount of emissions during U.S. testing, resulting in excess emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx emissions are responsible for increased nitrogen dioxide and ozone concentrations, which cause adverse effects to human health and the environment and contribute to regional haze.