The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project ( CVRP)

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 to promote the use and production of zero-emission vehicles. The program was created by Assembly Bill 118 that was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in October 2007 and that funds air quality improvement projects through 2015.
This 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 and plug-in hybrid 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 vehicles until the funding runs out. Certain zero-emission commercial vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $20,000. Check the the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Implementation Manual (365.12 kB) and the take a look at the CVRP Eligible Vehicle list. NOTE: Vehicles must be purchased or leased after official launch of the program on March 15, 2010.

Eligibility
Zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles
Cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, neighborhood electric vehicles
Must be new
Must meet certain qualifying requirements
Applicant and vehicle eligibility requirements also will be specified in a Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Implementation Manual available from the ARB at their website.

Clean Vehicle Rebate Project funding is limited. It is anticipated that funds will be insufficient to provide rebates to all eligible vehicle purchasers over the duration of the project. Rebates will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project is a follow-up to the Fueling Alternatives Rebate program, also funded by the Air Resources Board and administered by CCSE. The Fueling Alternatives program ran from April 2008 until May 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 electric-drive vehicles range from between $2,500 to $7,500, with factors such as battery capacity determining how much owners are eligible to receive. Cars like the Nissan Leaf, due for release in December 2010, would be eligible for the maximum credit of $7,500. To meet the tax incentive’s standards, an electric-drive vehicle must have a battery with a minimum capacity of 5 kilowatt-hours, with an additional $417 of tax credit added for every Kilowatt-hour thereafter, which is how the Leaf is eligible for the maximum $7,500 limit with its 24 kWh battery pack.

California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
REBATE PROJECT
CLEAN VEHICLESM
2007
Applicants must agree to meet all the requirements as specified in the CVRP Implementation Manual as part of the rebate
application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to review the CVRP Implementation Manual prior to applying for a rebate.
Eligible Applicants must meet requirements that include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Be an individual, business, nonprofit or government entity that is based in California or has a Californiabased
affiliate as specified in Section 3.3 of the CVRP Implementation Manual.
2. Be a purchaser or lessee of a new Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) as
specified in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 of the CVRP Implementation Manual.
3. Be a purchaser or lessee of a new eligible vehicle after the official start date of the Clean Vehicle Rebate
Project, March 15, 2010, and prior to exhaustion of available rebate funds.
4. Retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 36 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle
purchase or lease date. Rebate recipients who do not retain the eligible vehicle for the full 36-month
ownership or lease period will be required to reimburse ARB all or part of the original rebate amount.
5. Register the new vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a minimum of 36
consecutive months for use in California. Any government owned vehicle not registered with the California
DMV is still required to operate within California for 36 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle
purchase or lease date.
To qualify for a rebate, vehicles must meet the following requirements:
1. The vehicle must be new as defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) section 430 and must be
manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or its authorized licensee. Vehicles
considered new vehicles solely for determination of compliance with state emissions standards are not
eligible.
2. The vehicle must be on the List of Eligible Vehicles (available at www.cvrp.energycenter.org) on the date
of purchase or lease.
3. Zero-Emission Motorcycles (ZEMs) and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) must be equipped with
sealed, maintenance-free batteries and meet the warranty requirements as described in Sections 2.3.3 and
2.3.4 of the CVRP Implementation Manual.
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) provides
rebates to Californians who purchase or lease electric,
plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. The CVRP
is funded through the California Air Resources Board
(ARB) and is administered by the California Center for
Sustainable Energy. For a list of eligible vehicles and
further information, visit www.cvrp.energycenter.org
or call toll free at (866) 984-CLEAN (2532).
CVRP applications can be submitted directly online at
www.cvrp.energycenter.org. After the online application
is accepted, all supporting documentation, such as proof of
registration, must be mailed within 14 calendar days to:
California Center for Sustainable Energy
Attn: Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
Aplicant Requirements and Qualifying Vehicle Information
California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
REBATE PROJECT
CLEAN VEHICLESM
2007
Rebates will be distributed on a strict first-come, first-served basis and issued to qualified recipients in a single allotment.
Rebates will be issued no later than 60 days following receipt and verification of documentation.
Rebate funds will be immediately reserved by the Project Administrator upon receipt of a completed application. Required
supporting documentation must be mailed within 14 calendar days (by U.S. mail postmark) after a completed application is
received. If applicants do not submit the required documentation within that time frame, the funds will be released back to
the project and a new application will need to be submitted.
Required supporting documentation will include, at a minimum, the following:
q A printed copy of the submitted application signed by the vehicle purchaser, lessee or authorized
representative.
q Proof of temporary or permanent vehicle registration.
q A copy of the sales or lease contract signed by all parties with an itemization of credits, discounts and
incentives received, if applicable.
q For individuals, a copy of a utility or cable bill from within the last 3 months or other valid proof of
California residency as approved by the California Center for Sustainable Energy. Other forms of valid proof
include a signed, dated and notarized rental agreement or a copy of a current vehicle DMV registration. A
California driver license is not an acceptable proof of residency.
q For a business or nonprofit, a copy of the formation document filed with the California Secretary of State
or other documentation as approved by the California Center for Sustainable Energy. Sole proprietors may
submit a copy of a utility or cable bill from within the last 3 months, a current vehicle DMV registration or a
notarized rental agreement.
q For ZEMs and NEVs, as identified on the vehicle eligibility list, evidence of sealed maintenance-free
batteries and a 24-month warranty.
Resale of a vehicle or return to a dealership is allowed within the required 36-month period if necessitated by unforeseen or
unavoidable circumstances and as approved by the Air Resources Board. Rebate recipients who do not receive ARB approval
for resales or returns will be required to reimburse the ARB all or part of the original rebate amount.
Mailing Instructions
To ensure delivery of application materials, please use certified mail or priority mail with delivery confirmation.
ADMINISTRATOR INFORMATION
Project ADMINISTRATOR MAILING ADDRESS
California Center for Sustainable Energy
Transportation Programs Manager: Mike Ferry
E-Mail: mike.ferry@energycenter.org
Toll Free Line: 866.984.CLEAN (2532)
Web site: www.cvrp.energycenter.org
Mailing Address:
California Center for Sustainable Energy
Attn: Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite 100
San Diego, California 92123
Aplicant Requirements and Qualifying Vehicle Information