Increased incentives are available for public entities that own and operate eligible vehicles in disadvantaged communities as part of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. These incentives replace the standard CVRP rebate for eligible public entities. They include rebates of up to $7,500 for fuel-cell electric vehicles, $7,500 for battery-electric vehicles and $6,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Only public entities with light-duty vehicles located in one or more disadvantaged communities are eligible for increased incentives. For these rebates, a public entity is defined as in California Government Code Section 811.2 and includes the state; Regents of the University of California; Trustees of the California State University and California State Universities; a county, city, district, public authority or public agency; and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state. Tribal government entities based in California are also eligible. Non-California public entities (e.g., federal, international) are not eligible to participate.

All vehicles eligible for increased incentives must be domiciled within a California disadvantaged community census tract. Disadvantaged community census tracts are identified by CalEPA based on pollution burden and population characteristics data compiled in the CalEnviroScreen tool.

Prospective applicants can use the CalEnviroScreen interactive map to see if the vehicle’s domicile address is eligible for the increased incentive.

To be considered eligible for Public Fleet Increased Incentives, a fleet must own and operate an eligible vehicle for the required 30-month ownership term within a disadvantaged community census tract.

Federal agencies are not eligible for increased incentives.

If funds are not available at the time of your application, you may still apply and be placed on a rebate waitlist. Applicants on the CVRP rebate waitlist understand and agree that an application placed on a waitlist may be subject to new Terms and Conditions and new CVRP Implementation Manual requirements should funding become available.  As a result, there is no guarantee that you will be eligible for a rebate.

If funds are available at the time you submit your application, your rebate amount will be reserved when you apply online. You will receive your rebate as long as you meet all requirements and submit correct supporting documents within the given time frame.

Three major categories of vehicles are eligible for public fleet grant funding: light-duty zero-emission vehicles, light-duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and zero-emission motorcycles. However, zero-emission motorcycles are not eligible for an increased incentive amount.

Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)
Any vehicle certified to zero-emission standards. Vehicles in the ZEV category include electric-drive, all-battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) up to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). For the purposes of CVRP, ZEVs are categorized as defined in the California Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulation Sections 1962 and 1962.1, Title 13, California Code of Regulations (CCR). The range extended battery electric vehicle (BEVx) is a regulatory vehicle category that was approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in January 2012 and was included as a zero-emission vehicle type in June 2012 as part of the FY 2012-13 AQIP Funding Plan approval.   

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
PHEVs are hybrid electric vehicles that have zero-emission vehicle range capability and an onboard electrical energy storage device that can be recharged from an external source of electricity. In general, PHEVs are vehicles that can be driven using electricity, gasoline or both. PHEVs must have greater than or equal to 35 miles of Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) range on electricity alone.

Zero-Emission Motorcycles (ZEMs)
A ZEM is defined as either a two-wheeled electric motorcycle meeting the provisions of CVC Section 400 or a fully enclosed, freeway capable, three-wheeled zero-emission vehicle.

Vehicle manufacturers must apply for CVRP eligibility with CARB and meet a number of program requirements. If all requirements are met, the vehicle is added to the list of Eligible Vehicles.

Each individual public entity – as defined by valid Taxpayer Identification Number or other CARB-approved identification – is limited to 30 rebates per calendar year. CARB reserves the right to adjust rebate limits throughout the fiscal year to account for variable funding demand.

No, the increased incentives for public fleets replace standard CVRP rebate amounts. Applicants cannot receive both rebates for the same vehicle. However, public fleet applicants deemed ineligible for the increased incentives may still apply for the standard CVRP incentive amount.

No, federal agencies are not eligible for the increased incentives.

Yes, beginning March 28, 2018 public entities are now able to receive the CVRP rebate on leased vehicles. Please note, the minimum lease term on the original lease agreement must be equal to or greater than 30-months

Eligible entities operating public fleets can apply at any point during the purchase process. The first step is to submit an online application at cleanvehiclerebate.org/pfp/requirements and follow up with the required supporting documentation to reserve rebate funds.

Yes, public entities which have formal plans to acquire eligible vehicles or have ordered eligible vehicles and are awaiting delivery can apply to reserve funds if the expected delivery date is within 18 months of original application.

Applicants must inform CSE of any alterations to vehicle acquisition and deployment plans. CSE will take appropriate action to alter the rebate reservation or cancel the rebate reservation(s).

Yes, public entities may apply within 3 months of taking possession of an eligible vehicle. Applications received more than 3 months after vehicle delivery date will not be eligible for rebates. Vehicles purchased or leased prior to December 3^rd, 2019 have an 18-month eligibility window in which to submit an application.

All supporting documentation can be emailed to publicfleets@energycenter.org or mailed to CSE’s offices at the following address:

Attn: CVRP Public Fleets
Center for Sustainable Energy
3980 Sherman Street, Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92110

Recipients must retain ownership of the vehicle in California for a minimum of 30 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date. Recipients also are required to submit annual vehicle usage reports to CSE at publicfleets@energycenter.org for all rebated vehicles for a period of at least 30 months. Required data may include, but is not limited to, mileage reporting and, for increased incentives, the percentage of operation within disadvantaged communities.

CSE must be notified if there is a change of vehicle domicile location.

Yes. You can download a copy of the CVRP Implementation Manual, which contains the detailed guidelines.

Yes, CVRP rebates can be combined with federal, state or local agency incentives to help further buy down an eligible vehicle’s cost.  The increased incentives for public fleets, however, cannot be used alongside the CVRP incentive for the same vehicle.

Additional incentives vary by location and type of incentive. To learn more about what is available and how to apply, please visit the California Air Resources Board's Drive Clean Buying Guide. For more information about the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, visit cleanvehiclerebate.org.