REBATES! for Your New Alternative or Renewable Vehicle
The California Air Resources Board (CARB)
and the San Joaquin Valley Air
Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) offer a number of rebates, incentives
and vouchers to promote the introduction of cleaner vehicles on California
roads. So, if you’re looking to get a new (or used) car in the near future,
seriously consider an alternative or renewable vehicle. It will save you your
money and your lungs over the long term.
First
thing’s first. What counts as an alternative or renewable vehicle? There are
several technologies available and in development. Here are a few of our
favorites:
- Hybrid (such as the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid)
- Electric (such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus EV, Tesla Model S)
- Plug-In Hybrid (such as the Chevy Volt, Ford C-Max Energi, Ford Fusion Energi)
- Natural Gas (such as Honda Civic Natural Gas)
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell (such as Honda FCX Clarity, other models in concept stage)
Now for the
incentive and rebates… the best part and probably the reason you’re reading
this!
Photo Source: Zero Motorcycles |
CARB is
sponsoring a CCSE- administered rebate
program for zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Whether you want to buy
or lease one of these light-duty vehicles, you can get up to $2,500 through the
Clean Vehicle
Rebate Project. The website has an extensive list of eligible vehicles, links
to apply for the rebates easily online, project statistics, and informative
FAQs.
The Drive Clean! Rebate Program,
administered by the SJVAPCD, offers up to $3,000 for new vehicles purchases and
leases. Check the eligible
vehicle list and apply for your well-deserved rebate using this fillable
W9 form. If you need more information about all these vehicles, check out
this DriveClean Buying Guide. You
can access a quick vehicle compare and a Plug-In EV Resource Center or even calculate
your savings by rebates and incentives.
The SJVAPCD
also has a Vanpool
Voucher program to promote carpools for SJV residents. So many people
commute 20 miles or more for work by themselves in inefficient vehicles, and this
rideshare program would alleviate congestion on the roads and vehicle
emissions. The incentive is worth up to $360 a year and you can apply using
this fillable
form. The SJVAPCD has a number of other grants and incentive programs that
target improving our air quality. Check them out here!
I want. If only! The new Tesla Model X. |
There is a
lot to take advantage of and I suggest you look into these if you’re considering
a new vehicle! The technologies are only getting better and our air seems to
only be getting worse, especially with this recent drought. So, do your part!