What's New List Serve Post Display

Current funds projected to last only until next month. 

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California Air Resources Board

Release #:11-22
Date:06/07/2011

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACT:

Mary Fricke
916-322-2638
mfricke@arb.ca.gov

Karen Caesar
626-575-6728
kcaesar@arb.ca.gov

Clean Vehicle Rebates Prove Popular with California Consumers 
Current funds projected to last only until next month 

SACRAMENTO - 
The Air Resources Board announced today rebates for Californians
purchasing zero-emission vehicles through the Clean Vehicle
Rebate Project may run out by July due to high consumer demand. 

This rebate program may be approved for additional funds at ARB’s
July board hearing and upon passage of the state budget with
funds for rebates becoming available in the fall timeframe. 
Should funds run out before new funding is available, applicants
will be placed on a waiting list for funding.  

"California drivers responded even more enthusiastically than
predicted to the advanced technology vehicles the car
manufacturers are currently offering," said ARB Chairman Mary D.
Nichols. “This is a wonderful problem to have, since it means the
air will be getting cleaner and less gasoline will be burned." 

In response to overwhelming consumer demand and to increase the
number of rebates available, ARB is proposing to triple the
funding allocation for the rebate program next fiscal year to
between $12 million and $17 million, and reduce the rebate amount
by half -- from $5,000 to $2,500 -- in order to meet increasing
demand.  The additional funding is projected to allow for
approximately 6,000 rebates -- four times the number funded this
year.  However, even with the anticipated increased number of
rebates available, this funding is limited and may not be
sufficient to meet consumer demand next year, so consumers are
encouraged to apply early.

Launched in March 2010, vehicle rebates are offered on a
first-come, first-served basis for passenger cars, zero-emission
motorcycles and neighborhood electric vehicles.  Currently,
rebates range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on vehicle type. 
ARB’s $9.1 million project was recently increased by $2 million
by the California Energy Commission to fund an additional 400
vehicles.  About 1,400 rebates have been issued to date.  

Information on the rebate project, including an application and
required documents, list of eligible vehicles, and real-time
funding status is available at:
https://energycenter.org/index.php/incentive-programs/clean-vehicle-rebate-project.
   

The vehicle rebate project is one of several consumer incentives
funded under the California Alternative and Renewable Fuel,
Vehicle Technology, Clean Air, and Carbon Reduction Act of 2007
(AB 118). This law allows funding of up to $40 million per year,
depending on revenues, through 2015 for ARB to fund advanced
technologies needed to meet longer-term air quality and climate
change goals.  The state’s early investment in zero-emission and
plug-in hybrid technologies will prime the market for the larger
number of these vehicles needed over the next decade and beyond.



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.

Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Ph:
(916) 322-2990