No Longer Running On Fumes: Air Board Approves $40 Million in Additional Funding for Clean Vehicles
As my colleague posted last month, California’s popular Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) was in jeopardy of running out of funds by this month. The program, funded by California’s Air Resources Board (ARB), provides 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 week, ARB approved up to $40 million for the third year of funding for the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), which funds CVRP.
Funding for the program is generated from expected revenues from smog abatement and vehicle and vessel registration fees. ARB directed staff to provide $15 million to $21 million for continued funding of the 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 to provide vouchers for California businesses to purchase lower-emitting and fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses; and $2 million to $3 million toward locomotive, truck, and bus technology demonstration projects to meet California’s long-term air quality goals. ARB Chairman, Mary D. Nichols, stated that “This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on our roads within the year.” Although those already on the wait list will receive the rebates first, if you are interested in purchasing a clean-vehicle it’s not too late.