The California Air Resources Board has approved a funding plan for fiscal year 2014-15 that includes several new and renewed incentives for advanced vehicle technologies. The $222 million pot of money includes $200 million from ARB’s cap-and-trade program. The agency is required by law to invest a portion of proceeds in disadvantaged communities.

“Action taken by the Board today will provide $100 million to directly benefit disadvantaged communities,” Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols said. “The funding plan and ARB’s amended ‘car scrap’ program together provide emission reductions for all Californians and financial incentives for those who need it the most.”

Highlights of the plan include:

• $116 million to support the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), which offers rebates to buyers of zero-emission and near-zero-emission passenger cars.
• Fuel-cell electric vehicles are now eligible for rebates of $5,000 per vehicle.
• $9 million for pilot programs, such as car sharing, to help consumers in disadvantaged communities access clean-vehicle technologies.
• $85 million for heavy-duty freight vehicles. 
• $10-15 million in incentives for the purchase of heavy-duty hybrid and electric vehicles, such as delivery trucks. 
• $20-25 million for large-scale pilot projects to provide demonstrations of zero-emission technologies in the freight and transit sectors.
• $50 million for advanced technology freight demonstration projects, including zero-emission drayage trucks.

Source: California Air Resources Board
Image: Nicolas Raymond