The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project ( CVRP) is funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board ( ARB) and administered statewide by the California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE). A total of $4.1 million was appropriated from the ARB’s Air Quality Improvement Program for the Project in order to promote the production and use of zero-emission vehicles, including electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles.  The program was created from Assembly Bill 118 that was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in October 2007 and that funds air quality improvement projects through 2015.

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project benefits the citizens of California by providing immediate air pollution emission reductions and stimulating development and deployment of the next generation of zero-emission light-duty and commercial vehicles.

Rebates of up to $5,000 per light-duty vehicle are available for individuals and business owners who purchase or lease new eligible zero-emission or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Certain zero-emission commercial vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $20,000.

Download the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Implementation Manual (365.12 kB) for additional information and Project details.

Vehicle Eligibility

• Battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles
• Cars, trucks, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, zero-emission motorcycles, and neighborhood electric vehicles
• New vehicles only
• Vehicles must be purchased or leased on or after March 15, 2010
• Only ARB-certified or approved zero-emission or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
• Vectrix motorcycles must be purchased from 2010 certified Vectrix dealers in order to be eligible for rebates.

Clean Vehicle Rebate Project funding will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  Funding for the Project is expected through 2015, with specific funding amounts determined annually by the Air Resources Board.

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project is a follow-up to the successful Fueling Alternatives program, also funded by the Air Resources Board and administered by CCSE.  The Fueling Alternatives program ran from February 2008 through April 2009 and provided rebates of up to $5,000 for consumers who purchased or leased eligible natural gas , electric, and fuel cell vehicles. A summary of the program, including a list of vehicles rebated, can be found here.

For further information on clean and fuel efficient cars, visit www.DriveClean.ca.gov.

Federal Tax Incentives: Tax credits for full-function electric-drive vehicles range from $2,500 to $7,500. In order to qualify for a federal tax credit, an electric-drive vehicle must have a battery with a capacity of at least 4 kilowatt-hours, making the vehicle eligible for the minimum $2,500 credit.  Vehicles with a battery capacity of 5 kWh or greater are eligible for an additional $417 of credit for every Kilowatt-hour in excess of 4 kWh.  Vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf (24 kWh battery capacity) and the Chevrolet Volt (16 kWh battery capacity) will thus be eligible for the maximum $7,500 credit.

For further information on federal tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles, diesel vehicles, and electric-drive vehicles, visit www.fueleconomy.gov and click on "Tax Incentive Center."