Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has awarded the third and final group of Phase 1 rebates for Level 2 charging projects to be funded by the N.C. Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement Program.

This final group of rebates includes 28 projects totaling $297,534.00. To date, DEQ has awarded $1,143,534 in Level 2 rebates for 87 projects from the $1.15 million available for the program.

DEQ allocated 25 percent of the Phase 1 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure allocation, or approximately $1.15 million, to Level 2 charging infrastructure projects. The Level 2 ZEV Charging Infrastructure Program uses a first-come, first-served rebate process to help interested parties install ZEV Level 2 charging infrastructure, as described in the North Carolina VW Mitigation Plans. The primary goal is to increase use of ZEVs in place of gas-powered cars to mitigate nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

Rebate applications were prioritized by the urban-suburban/rural split described in the NC VW Mitigation Plan, with about 68 percent of the funds allocated for urban and suburban counties, and about 32 percent allocated for rural counties. Rebates were awarded until the funds were exhausted.

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The recipients and project details can be found at https://deq.nc.gov/volkswagen-settlement.

For additional information about the Level 2 Program, visit https://deq.nc.gov/volkswagen-settlement/level-2.