California Center for Sustainable Energy

As the first recipients of a $5,000 check from the newly created San Diego Airport Vehicle Rebate Program, Jorge Rodriguez and Kole Handy, owners of Lifestyle Transportation, weren’t satisfied with just getting one Lincoln MKZ hybrid luxury sedan - they plan to buy five alternative fuel vehicles with rebates, saving enough to purchase a sixth car for free.

"The limo service industry is changing to bring green transportation into the business, with clients becoming more interested in environmentally friendly luxury vehicles that reduce the carbon footprint of their trips,” Rodriguez said. “We feel better by going green without losing quality of service, and the clients love it."

The Ford Lincoln MKZ uses the same electric-drive technology as the Ford Fusion Hybrid and can run on electric power only, gasoline power only or a combination of the two. The Lincoln boasts a fuel economy rating of 41 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient luxury hybrids on the road. Rodriguez said the he expects a 40-50 percent savings in fuel use over the Lincoln Town Cars he operates, saving him about $10,000 per year per car. He plans to buy at least three more MKZ hybrids.

In addition, Lifestyle Transportation is adding two diesel Mercedes Sprinter vans that will run exclusively on biodiesel B20 fuel made from 20 percent waste cooking oil. Because B20 fuel is not widely available at many service stations, Rodriguez has arranged to have onsite fueling at his company’s location in the Logan Heights area provided by New Leaf Biofuel, a local maker of B20, and Maxum Petroleum, a B20 distributor. Rodriguez said his company also has initiated a more environmentally friendly office, with energy reductions, paperless operations and recycling.

The San Diego Airport Vehicle Rebate Program ( AVRP) is part of other statewide efforts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of hybrid, compressed natural gas and propane vehicles. The program provides cash incentives to help offset the cost of purchasing or leasing lower emission or alternative fuel taxis and limousines as well as off-airport parking and door-to-door shuttles that are permitted for the airport. Currently, there are about 1,450 airport ground transportation vehicles with permits.

CCSE is implementing the rebate program in coordination with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the San Diego Association of Governments and San Diego Miramar College’s Advanced Transportation Technology & Energy Center. The program is funded by a $750,000 grant from the Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund to achieve clean air and fuel efficiency benefits for California consumers.

Rebates are dependent on vehicle type, model year and fuel technology and range from $1,000 to $7,500. For more information, click here.

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