California's clean vehicle rebate program

Image courtesy ARB

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Now may be the time to buy an electric vehicle if you live in California.  Today a new incentive program, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, was announced.  A total of $4.1 million is available through the Air Resources Board (ARB) in the Air Quality Improvement Program.  This program provides a $5,000 rebate for electric cars, and a $20,000 rebate for electric trucks. This program is in addition to the federal tax incentive for electric vehicles.

The program is open to purchases of new zero-emission or plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, neighborhood electric vehicles.  While that sounds very broad it turns out there is a short list of eligible vehicles.  The list includes commercial trucks from Smith Electric and EVI, the Tesla Roadster, the Honda Clarity fuel cell car, the Nissan LEAF, NEV's from GEM and Miles, and the Zero S and DS from Zero Motorcycles.  There are several vehicles on the market which could qualify for the program (such as the GPR-S from Electric Motorsport).  The CVRP Implementation Manual details several requirements manufacturers must meet in order for their vehicles to qualify in the program.  These requirements include having an "acceptable service program" with parts and trained technicians, as well as a significant warranty.

According to an ARB spokesperson while Brammo's Enertia motorcycle is not on the list today, the application from Brammo is in their office and the Enertia will perhaps be added next week.

It's worth noting that this program is a rebate, not a tax incentive.  Some have decried the federal tax incentive program because the purchaser gets their incentive money the following year when they file their taxes, putting a long delay on the reward they get from the incentive program.  Rebates on the other hand are paid out much more quickly.

Applicants for the rebate must be an individual, business, nonprofit or government entity located in California, and they must keep the vehicle for at least 36 months, and use it within California the whole time. 

To apply for the rebate go to www.cvrp.energycenter.org and click on the link labeled "CVRP Eligible Vehicle List".  Below each one is a button that starts the application process.

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