Hyperdrive
States Got $3 Billion in VW Scandal. Here’s How They’ll Spend It
- California, others have announced plans for spending the cash
- Projects include electric buses, charging stations and more
Photographer: Miles Willis/Bloomberg
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The Volkswagen AG emissions cheating scandal that cost the storied automaker more than 26 billion euros ($30.4 billion) is now helping fuel the rise of electric cars, buses and charging stations across the U.S.
As part of a series of sweeping settlements, Volkswagen has agreed to pay almost $3 billion to fund efforts to cut pollution from diesel engines in every state. It’s up to local officials to decide what to do with the money, but there are a few strings attached: It must be used to reduce a central component of smog, nitrogen oxide. And only 15 percent can pay for electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.