Volkswagen Settlement Diesel Emission Mitigation Program – Class 4-7 Garbage Trucks

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced funding under Florida's Volkswagen Settlement Diesel Emission Mitigation Program for the replacement of eligible Class 4 through Class 7 diesel garbage trucks. The Notice of Funding Availability makes $10 million available for projects that purchase new Class 4-7 garbage trucks powered by diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, or electricity and replace eligible existing Class 4-7 diesel trucks with engine model year 2009 or older. The program is administered by Florida DEP as part of the state's implementation of the Volkswagen Settlement and its Beneficiary Mitigation Plan. The funding is intended to support replacement of older diesel-powered waste collection vehicles while reducing diesel-related emissions in Florida communities. DEP states that it will prioritize projects in areas engaged in disaster recovery and resiliency planning and in communities that have experienced disproportionate economic, environmental, and operational impacts from severe weather events in recent years. Projects in rural areas of opportunity, as defined under Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, will also receive priority consideration. These priorities are identified in the Updates and Amendments to Florida's Beneficiary Mitigation Plan dated October 31, 2025. Eligible participants include Florida county governments, Florida municipalities, and non-governmental private commercial entities that provide waste collection services for a Florida county or municipality under contract. Each eligible entity may receive funding for up to three eligible replacement units. A private commercial entity serving governmental clients under contract and operating in more than one county or municipality may submit separate applications for unit replacement projects within each separate county or municipality in which it provides services. Participation is therefore limited to qualifying entities and projects operating within Florida. Qualifying governmental entities may receive up to $400,000 for each eligible replacement unit, subject to available funding and DEP's stated goal of distributing funds to as many qualifying governmental entities as possible. Qualifying private entities may receive up to $100,000 for each eligible replacement unit, also subject to available funds. The announced program funding is $10 million, although DEP reserves the right to make additional Volkswagen Settlement funds available for new Class 4-7 garbage trucks if sufficient interest exists. The notice does not state a minimum award amount or an explicit applicant matching or cost-share requirement. For each replacement funded through the program, an eligible participant must purchase one new Class 4-7 garbage truck powered by diesel, CNG, propane, or electricity for each eligible existing unit that the participant scraps. Existing vehicles being replaced must meet the program's eligibility requirements, including being Class 4-7 diesel trucks of engine model year 2009 or older. Scrappage must comply with the requirements specified in Florida's Beneficiary Mitigation Plan. These vehicle replacement and scrappage requirements establish the primary conditions governing the use of program funds. Entities seeking funding were instructed to download and complete the Class 4-7 Garbage Truck Project Application Worksheet and submit the completed worksheet by email to VWMitigation@FloridaDEP.gov. Applications were due Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating deadline is identified in the supplied notice. The supplied information also does not specify an application opening date, award notification date, performance period, named individual program contact, telephone number, or recurring application cycle. Because the stated December 23, 2025 deadline has passed and no recurrence is stated, this funding opportunity is no longer accepting applications based on the supplied source information.

Address DEP's stated priorities where applicable, including projects in areas engaged in disaster recovery and resiliency planning, communities experiencing disproportionate economic, environmental, and operational impacts from severe weather, reductions in diesel-related emissions, and projects located in rural areas of opportunity.