SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Air Resources Board on July 21 approved up to $40 million for the third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment.  

Calif. Air Board Approves $40M for Green Vehicles SACRAMENTO –The California Air Resources Board on July 21 approved up to $40 million for the third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment.   Californians will be able to use vouchers or rebates on a first-come, first-served basis toward the purchase of zero-emission or plug-in hybrid cars, and zero-emission or hybrid trucks and buses.   “This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on our roads within the year,” said CARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “That means better air quality sooner, and real progress in making a dent in our dependence on petroleum.” CARB directed staff to provide the following funding:  • $15 million to $21 million for continued funding of consumer rebates of up to $2,500 toward the purchase of zero-emission or plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles •  $11 million to $16 million to continue providing vouchers for California businesses to buy lower-emitting and fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses •  $2 million to $3 million toward promising locomotive, truck and bus technology demonstration projects needed for California to meet its long-term air quality goals.   This is the third year of the Air Quality Improvement Program, established by AB 118 (2007, Nunez). The program invests in critical new emission-reduction technologies. In its first two years, the program funded approximately 2,000 zero-emission passenger vehicles and over 1,000 hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses, totaling $58 million.   Funding for these programs is generated from expected revenues from smog abatement, vehicle and vessel registration fees.  A waitlist has been established for zero-emission or plug-in hybrid passenger vehicle rebates to ensure that the additional rebates will be distributed fairly on a first-come, first-served basis in the fall, CARB said. For more information on the program and how to apply for a voucher or rebate, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aqip/aqip.htm. For information on buying the cleanest, most fuel efficient cars on the market, visit the DriveClean Web site at http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/.SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Air Resources Board on July 21 approved up to $40 million for the third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment.   Californians will be able to use vouchers or rebates on a first-come, first-served basis toward the purchase of zero-emission or plug-in hybrid cars, and zero-emission or hybrid trucks and buses.   “This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on our roads within the year,” said CARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “That means better air quality sooner, and real progress in making a dent in our dependence on petroleum.”

CARB directed staff to provide the following funding: 

• $15 million to $21 million for continued funding of consumer rebates of up to $2,500 toward the purchase of zero-emission or plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles. (The state no longer has the funds for the $5,000 rebates that had been in place for the past several years.) 

• $11 million to $16 million to continue providing vouchers for California businesses to buy lower-emitting and fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses

• $2 million to $3 million toward promising locomotive, truck and bus technology demonstration projects needed for California to meet its long-term air quality goals.  

This is the third year of the Air Quality Improvement Program, established by AB 118 (2007, Nunez). The program invests in new emission-reduction technologies. In its first two years, the program funded approximately 2,000 zero-emission passenger vehicles and over 1,000 hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses, totaling $58 million.  

Funding for these programs is generated from expected revenues from smog abatement, vehicle and vessel registration fees. 

A wait list has been established for zero-emission or plug-in hybrid passenger vehicle rebates to ensure that the additional rebates will be distributed fairly on a first-come, first-served basis in the fall, CARB said.

For more information on the program and how to apply for a voucher or rebate, click here.