SACRAMENTO, CA – Drivers traveling alone in the Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid can now avail of high-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV) access in California, according to the automaker.

The approval also paves the way for the C-MAX Energi to be approved in other states with carpool lane plug-in vehicle incentives, such as Maryland, New York, and Virginia.

The C-MAX Energi was just approved for the Green Clean Air Vehicle Sticker as part of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), which is funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Air Resources Board (ARB) and administered statewide by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).

California C-MAX Energi customers can now apply to receive a $1,500 state tax rebate when purchasing or leasing the vehicle for 36 months or longer. In addition to the state rebate, C-MAX Energi will qualify for the existing $3,750 federal tax credit – bringing down the price to $28,495 after the federal tax credit and state tax rebate.

The C-MAX Energi achieves up to 21 miles in all-electric range, according to Ford.