Making the Cleanest Cars Affordable
How the State is helping low-income families save money with fuel-efficient and ultra-clean cars
thanks to the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program (EFMP) & Plus-Up Pilot Project
A pilot project for low-income households
The California Air Resource Board is initiating a pilot project in the Greater Los Angeles area and
San Joaquin Valley to help low-income individuals and families get rid of old polluting vehicles and
purchase much cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars.
The program works by providing increasingly larger cash payments for the lowest-income families to
move up to the very cleanest cars. Under this program, for example, it is possible for a family that meets
the income guidelines to receive $12,000 toward the purchase of an electric car.
How does it work?
If a low-income consumer chooses to scrap an old, dirty vehicle, they will receive $1,500 under
an existing program run by the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Under a new pilot project developed by the California Air Resources Board, however, if that same old,
dirty vehicle is scrapped and then replaced with a cleaner new or used vehicle, the State will provide
considerably more money to help support that purchase. The amount received depends on two elements:
what type of replacement car it is (the cleaner the car, the more money is provided), and income level.
How are the incentives calculated?
The pilot project, currently in the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley air districts, is available for three
separate income levels: those with a household income equal to or less than 225 percent of the federal
poverty level, those between 226 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level and those between
301 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. In addition, those individuals must reside in a ZIP
code that contains a disadvantaged census tract. (This is determined by CalEnviroScreen. See
http://tinyurl.com/p353woz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.) The lowest-income recipient purchasing the very cleanest car receives
the highest incentive amounts.
Low Income (up to 225% of the federal poverty level)
If you’re in this income level, and replace your scrapped car with a conventional hybrid car
(e.g. Toyota Prius) that is less than 8 years old that gets 20 mpg or greater, you are eligible for $6,500 in
incentives. If the replacement car gets 35 mpg or greater (Toyota Prius or Honda Insight), that goes up
to $7,000. If you choose a plug-in hybrid (e.g. Chevy Volt), or an electric car (e.g. Nissan Leaf) you receive
$9,500. In addition, up to $2,000 for a charging unit at your single residence or multi-unit dwelling is
available for the purchase of battery electric cars. Also, in the case of either a brand new plug-in hybrid or
electric car, you receive an additional $1,500 and $2,500, respectively, from a separate program, known as
the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
Moderate Income (226% - 300% of federal poverty level)
If you replace your scrapped car with a conventional hybrid model that gets 35 mpg or greater, you receive
$5,000, rising to $7,500 for a plug-in hybrid or electric car. (In addition, you can receive up to $2,000 for a charging
unit for battery electric cars, and if those are brand new cars, an additional $1,500 or $2,500, respectively.)
Above Moderate Income (301% - 400% of federal poverty level)
If you replace your scrapped car with a plug-in hybrid or electric car, you receive $5,500 – which includes
an additional incentive of up to $2,000 for the charging unit for battery electric cars, and an additional
$1,500 or $2,500, respectively, if they are brand new.
Can a lower-income consumer purchase a more fuel efficient, conventional replacement car through this
program instead of a hybrid electric or cleaner car?
Yes. Lower-income consumers who would like to replace their dirty cars with more fuel efficient
conventional cars would still qualify to receive up to $4,500. Consumers do not have to meet the residency
requirement as mentioned above to qualify but still must reside in one of the two participating regions...
