Hyper-Local Incentives For Alternative Fuel Vehicles In One California City

The City of Lake Elsinore, Calif., is debuting its Clean Air Vehicle Incentive Program, which the city council approved last week to encourage the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles from Lake Elsinore auto dealerships and, in turn, improve local air quality.Â
Funding totaling $25,000 will be made available for the remainder of fiscal year 2012-2013, and reimbursements will be made on a first come, first served basis. The city is currently offering $2,000 rebates for new or leased qualifying vehicles or $1,000 rebates for used vehicles. Applicants must be residents of Lake Elsinore.Â
Qualifying vehicles must be exclusively alternative-fuel with original manufacturer's equipment or hybrid technology, and have a minimum combined fuel economy of 34 mpg or greater and a minimum “Smog Score” of 9 or better. The vehicles must be fueled exclusively with compressed natural gas (CNG) or be plug-in electric vehicles licensed for highway use.