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Program is the nation’s first to reduce the up-front cost of
hybrid vehicles. California Air Resources Board
Release 10-08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2010

CONTACT:	Mary Fricke
		(916) 322-2990

Air Resources Board launches $20 million in funding assistance
for heavy-duty
hybrid trucks and buses
Program is the nation’s first to reduce the up-front cost of
hybrid vehicles

SACRAMENTO – Today the Air Resources Board  launched a $20
million funding assistance program designed to spur the purchase
of hybrid trucks and buses that reduce smog-forming pollution and
address climate change. 

Funding incentives range from $10,000 to $45,000 and each
vehicle purchaser, regardless of the size of their fleet, is
limited to a maximum of 100 vouchers and is expected to put up to
800 vehicles on the road on a first-come, first-served basis. 
ARB created the financial incentive program from AB 118  funding
to help Californians purchase cleaner, but more costly hybrid
vehicles. 

“California is taking an aggressive approach to getting
lower-polluting vehicles on the road more quickly,” said ARB
Chairman Mary D. Nichols.  “This will accelerate our progress in
cleaning up the air we breathe and reaching our climate change
reduction goals.”

Hybrid vehicle technology can reduce truck and bus emissions by
20 to 50 percent, including gases that contribute to global
warming.  Hybrid vehicles also reduce smog-forming emissions
while saving vehicle owners money in reduced fuel costs. 

The program cuts about half the cost of purchasing road-ready
hybrid trucks and buses, helping owners buy cleaner, newer
technology sooner. The program is expected to put up to 800
vehicles on the road on a first come, first serve basis   and
spur U.S. manufacturing and technology jobs, bolstering American
companies that are leaders in heavy-duty hybrid technology.

ARB has partnered with CALSTART  to administer the program. 
Eligibility is based on the purchase of selected hybrid vehicles
and fleet owners must agree to register and operate the vehicle
in California for three years.  Dealers, manufactures and fleet
owners can learn more about the program at californiahvip.org.

The program will also help achieve the goals of the state’s
Climate Change Scoping Plan that requires California to reduce
its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020 with
clean alternative fuels. Transportation accounts for 40 percent
of the total emissions of climate changing gases. 

Smog has been known to exacerbate a variety of cardiovascular
and respiratory conditions such as heart disease and asthma, and
diesel particulate matter was listed as toxic in 1998.  Diesel
particulate matter contains a variety of harmful gases and over
40 other known cancer-causing substances, linking it to premature
death, cancer and other health problems.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency.  ARB’s mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.
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