California is offering public agencies serving disadvantaged communities newly increased rebates for purchasing light-duty electric vehicles (EVs).
The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), which is administering the statewide initiative for the California Air Resources Board, recently announced the $2.8 million Public Fleet Pilot Project. CSE says the pilot is a new offering alongside its Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP).
The pilot increases the standard CVRP rebates for eligible public entities and offers per-vehicle incentives up to $15,000 for fuel cell EVs, $10,000 for battery-electric vehicles and $5,250 for plug-in hybrid EVs.
“While electric vehicles may come with a higher up-front cost, they offer significant reductions in emissions as well as lower ownership costs,” says Colin Santulli, CSE senior transportation manager. “Besides the environmental and public health benefits, many fleet operators have found the financial benefits of lower fuel costs and savings on repairs and maintenance as ample reasons to go electric.”
In order for fleets to receive the pilot rebates, CSE says vehicles must be purchased new and based in a designated disadvantaged community. Leased vehicles are not eligible for the increased rebates. One feature is that public agencies can apply to reserve rebate funds prior to vehicle delivery, as long as it will be completed within six months of application.
Public agencies can receive up to 30 rebates per year, with vehicles purchased after July 1, 2014, eligible for the current year's funding. More than 20 light-duty vehicles are presently eligible for the program.
Additional information on the Public Fleet Pilot Project is available here.
