Indianapolis, IN – Indiana officials are highlighting the impact of millions of dollars in environmental funding that has helped modernize transportation across the state while reducing harmful air pollution.
According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the funding stems from Volkswagen’s 2016 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice after the automaker admitted to installing software in nearly 590,000 diesel vehicles that violated the federal Clean Air Act. As part of the $2.9 billion national settlement, Indiana received nearly $41 million to reduce excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions produced by those vehicles.
According to IDEM, an 11-member Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee was established in 2017, with the agency serving as the beneficiary and administrative manager of the funds.
Over the next seven years, the committee awarded 152 grants totaling approximately $45 million to replace or repower older diesel vehicles and equipment across Indiana. The agency said major investments included about $10 million for school districts to purchase electric and propane-powered school buses, roughly $6.4 million to replace diesel transit, motor coach and shuttle buses with compressed natural gas and all-electric alternatives, and approximately $6 million to install 61 DC fast chargers and 55 Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations statewide.
IDEM estimates the projects will reduce lifetime nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 810 tons while saving an estimated 5.1 million gallons of fuel. State officials say the investments are expected to strengthen Indiana’s clean transportation infrastructure and improve air quality for years to come.
