Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post discussing the Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The program, with a little over $11 million in funding, is still going strong into next year albeit with a few minor changes.
Vouchers still range between $10,000-30,000 on a first-come, first serve basis, but for FY 2011-12, there will be higher voucher amounts for the first three vehicles purchased by a fleet, with declining amounts for subsequent vehicles purchased. The program’s intention is to encourage participation by fleets considering hybrid and zero-emission vehicles for the first time while still allowing for the continuation of larger volume purchases.
If you are planning to purchase a large number of hybrid and zero-emission vehicles, it might make sense to do so prior to these changes, which will occur in early 2012. Any unallocated funding from FY 2010-11 funds will be rolled into this new fiscal year.
On the other hand, it may be beneficial for fleets considering a purchase of just a few vehicles to wait for launch of the new FY 2011-12 HVIP guidelines, when the voucher amounts will be higher for the first three vehicles purchased. See the chart below for more details.
FY 2011-12 HVIP: Eligible Truck and Bus Voucher Amounts
(Upon launch of FY 2011-12 HVIP in early 2012)
|
Gross Vehicle Weight |
Base Vehicle Incentive |
||||
|
First 3* vehicles |
4 to 30 vehicles |
31 to 65 vehicles |
66 to 200 vehicles |
||
| 5,001 – 8,500 lbs | Zero-Emission |
$12,000 |
$10,000 |
$8,000 |
$6,000 |
| 8,501 – 10,000 lbs | Plug-in Hybrid |
$15,000 |
$10,000 |
$8,000 |
$6,000 |
| Zero-Emission |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
$12,000 |
$10,000 |
|
| 10,001 – 19,500 lbs |
$25,000 |
$15,000 |
$12,000 |
$10,000 |
|
| 19,501 – 33,000 lbs |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
$12,000 |
|
| 33,001 – 38,000 lbs |
$35,000 |
$25,000 |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
|
| > 38,000 lbs |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
$25,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Each fleet begins with zero vehicles purchased for the purpose of the FY 2011-12 HVIP
(i.e. purchases from prior HVIP funding years do not count).
An ARB-certified hybrid vehicle above 14,000 lbs is eligible for an additional $5,000 voucher.
Public school buses are eligible for an additional $5,000 to $10,000 per vehicle voucher.
For more information regarding this year’s HVIP, visit: www.californiahvip.org.
