DannyAmes
Well-known member
This should help those on the fence in California deciding to buy the Leaf especially with the recent price increase.
Danny
State's popular EV-rebate program gets new funds
David R. Baker, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, July 21, 2011
(07-21) 14:42 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- California's electric-car rebate program, so popular that it ran out of cash last month, is back in business.
The California Air Resources Board on Thursday approved spending $15 million to $21 million to fund the program, which gives rebates to buyers of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.
"This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on our roads within the year," said Mary Nichols, the board's chairwoman, in a statement. "That means better air quality sooner, and real progress in making a dent in our dependence on petroleum."
The money comes from vehicle registration fees and smog abatement fees, so the program's exact budget will depend on the amount of revenue collected.
Even though electric cars are just now reaching the mass market, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project has already attracted more applicants than planned.
The state hands out the rebates on a first-come, first-served basis. During the last fiscal year, the air resources board and the California Energy Commission devoted $7 million to the program. So many car buyers applied that the money ran out on June 20.
So for the fiscal year that began this month, the air board decided to expand funding and shrink the individual rebates, in a bid to stretch the money farther.
In the past, buyers of electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster could receive a $5,000 rebate. Now the maximum rebate will be $2,500. People who buy plug-in hybrid cars or electric motorcycles will receive smaller amounts.
Since funding dried up last month, applicants have been placed on a waiting list, which now has roughly 500 names. Those people will be first in line for the next round of rebates, which the air board expects to issue this fall.
Even though the program has far more money for the new fiscal year, the possibility remains that the funding won't last until next July. People buying electric cars are therefore encouraged to apply immediately.
"If it runs out in the first six months, it runs out - that's it," said board spokeswoman Mary Fricke.
The board on Thursday also approved spending $11 million to $16 million to continue funding a program that gives California businesses vouchers to help buy fuel-efficient or zero-emission trucks and busses.
To apply for a rebate, go to sfg.ly/qMylUn.
E-mail David R. Baker at [email protected].
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/21/BUVT1KDHGT.DTL
Danny
State's popular EV-rebate program gets new funds
David R. Baker, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, July 21, 2011
(07-21) 14:42 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- California's electric-car rebate program, so popular that it ran out of cash last month, is back in business.
The California Air Resources Board on Thursday approved spending $15 million to $21 million to fund the program, which gives rebates to buyers of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.
"This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on our roads within the year," said Mary Nichols, the board's chairwoman, in a statement. "That means better air quality sooner, and real progress in making a dent in our dependence on petroleum."
The money comes from vehicle registration fees and smog abatement fees, so the program's exact budget will depend on the amount of revenue collected.
Even though electric cars are just now reaching the mass market, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project has already attracted more applicants than planned.
The state hands out the rebates on a first-come, first-served basis. During the last fiscal year, the air resources board and the California Energy Commission devoted $7 million to the program. So many car buyers applied that the money ran out on June 20.
So for the fiscal year that began this month, the air board decided to expand funding and shrink the individual rebates, in a bid to stretch the money farther.
In the past, buyers of electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster could receive a $5,000 rebate. Now the maximum rebate will be $2,500. People who buy plug-in hybrid cars or electric motorcycles will receive smaller amounts.
Since funding dried up last month, applicants have been placed on a waiting list, which now has roughly 500 names. Those people will be first in line for the next round of rebates, which the air board expects to issue this fall.
Even though the program has far more money for the new fiscal year, the possibility remains that the funding won't last until next July. People buying electric cars are therefore encouraged to apply immediately.
"If it runs out in the first six months, it runs out - that's it," said board spokeswoman Mary Fricke.
The board on Thursday also approved spending $11 million to $16 million to continue funding a program that gives California businesses vouchers to help buy fuel-efficient or zero-emission trucks and busses.
To apply for a rebate, go to sfg.ly/qMylUn.
E-mail David R. Baker at [email protected].
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/21/BUVT1KDHGT.DTL
