California Votes To Extend Rebates, Build Infrastructure california_rebates22
Detroit News
The California legislature has approved measures to extend rebates for electric vehicles and to help develop up to 100 hydrogen fueling stations over the next decade.
Get the details on these significant moves toward alternative fuel measures.
The California legislature has approved measures to raise $2 billion to extend rebates for electric vehicles and to help develop up to 100 fueling stations over the next decade for vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
The legislation, expected to be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, would extend some vehicle fees to help pay for the programs. The state has made its zero emission vehicle program a cornerstone of its efforts to reduce smog and greenhouse gas emissions.
One bill would extend funding for up to a $2,500 state tax credit for buying an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric through 2024.
Through the end of 2012, the state has awarded $24.8 million in rebates for 8,305 EVs ? including 6,720 Nissan Leaf EVs and about 600 Tesla cars. The program has also awarded $11.2 million in $1,500 rebates for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including $5.7 million for 3,777 Chevrolet Volts.
Other programs help small truck fleet owners and consumers buy greener cars, trucks, buses, and construction equipment.
The bills extend for eight to nine years ? from 2015?2016 until 2024 ? various temporary vehicle-related state and local fees and surcharges to fund vehicle-related programs and would use up to $220 million in vehicle registration fees over the next 11 years to build 100 hydrogen fuel cell stations.
Some automakers have vowed to start selling hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as early as 2015, including Toyota Motor Corp.. Many major automakers have formed partnerships to speed development of fuel cell vehicles.
The state?s Air Resources Board expects nearly 100 percent of all cars sold in the Golden State will be zero-emission vehicles by 2040.
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