California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Initiates New Eligibility Requirements

Increased low-mod income incentives and high-income caps start March
29, 2016

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In order to make clean vehicles more accessible to a greater number of
California drivers, especially in communities that are highly impacted
by air pollution, the Clean
Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is implementing increased incentive
levels for low- and moderate-income consumers and high-income
eligibility caps. The California Air Resources Board (ARB) approved the
changes in June 2015, as directed by the Charge Ahead California
Initiative established by Senate Bill 1275 (De León). They will apply
statewide to vehicle purchases or leases effective on March 29, 2016.

Since 2010, the CVRP has issued over $291 million in rebates for more
than 137,200 vehicles, according to the Center
for Sustainable Energy (CSE), which administers the ARB program.
Rebates cover a range of battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric and
fuel cell vehicles.

For low- and moderate-income consumers, CVRP rebates for all types of
eligible light-duty passenger vehicles are being increased by $1,500.
When combined with the $7,500 federal tax credit for battery electric
and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the California rebates provide
savings up to $11,500. To qualify for the increased rebates, applicants
must have household incomes less than or equal to 300 percent of the
federal poverty level. For an individual, the gross annual income limit
is $35,640, and for a household of four, it is $72,900.

Higher income consumers will not be eligible for CVRP rebates if their
gross annual income exceeds $250,000 for single tax filers, $340,000 for
head of household filers and $500,000 for joint filers. Income levels
will be determined by the amount reported on the applicant’s federal tax
return. The caps do not apply to fuel-cell electric vehicles, which
represent less than one percent of CVRP’s applications and qualify for
rebates of $5,000.

Applicants may be required to provide proof of income.

Additional clean vehicle rebates based on income eligibility are
available in disadvantaged communities in the South Coast Air Quality
Management District and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District. ARB’s Drive Clean website offers a guide for clean vehicle
incentives at DriveClean.CA.gov.

For further information on the CVRP, a list of eligible vehicles and
rebates, and complete application procedures, visit CleanVehicleRebate.org.

The incentives, and this project, are part of California Climate
Investments, which use proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade auctions
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a variety of
additional benefits to California communities.

About the Center for Sustainable Energy®

Accelerating the transition to a sustainable world powered by clean
energy

Founded in 1996, the Center
for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a mission-driven nonprofit,
providing clean energy consulting services and program management.
Governments, regulators, utilities, businesses, property owners and
others look to CSE as an objective implementation partner to develop
customized solutions that help lower energy costs and increase consumer
choice and accessibility to clean energy technologies. CSE’s suite of
services includes expertise in transportation, energy efficiency and
building performance, research and analysis, emerging technologies,
policy support, workforce development, and marketing, education and
outreach. Headquartered in San Diego, CSE works nationwide with support
of offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., and Boston. Learn more at energycenter.org
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Contacts

Center for Sustainable Energy
Chuck Colgan, (858) 244-1184
Chuck.Colgan@EnergyCenter.org