SACRAMENTO, CA - Incentive funds are available now at the California Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) for all California fleets, both public and private. $18 million was made available for this year, and $11 million of funding is still available. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

According to the organization, HVIP does not require much up-front administrative time or effort, and reporting is simple. The selling dealership does almost the work and takes the HVIP amount off the purchase price.  Incentives range from $15,000 to $30,000 per vehicle, up to 100 vehicles. Fleets can cover the full incremental cost of these vehicles by combining HVIP with other grant funding.

The program covers eligible hybrid and electric trucks and buses across most applications. The vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) range from 10,001 lbs. and heavier (Classes 3-8). There are already more than 40 eligible vehicles in most applications and more are on the way. Eligible hybrid vehicles are available from Autocar, FCCC, Ford, Freightliner, Kenworth, Navistar, Peterbilt, and Thomas Built. Eligible electric vehicles are available from Boulder Electric Vehicle, EVI, Navistar, and Smith Electric. 

*UPDATE: The Transit Connect EV was added to HVIP in a new category (5,001-8,500 lbs. GVWR). It takes effect Nov. 1 until February 2012 for the 2010-11 fiscal year and will migrate to the 2011-2012 fiscal year after. The incentive amount for 2010-2011 FY is $15,000 for the fleet's first voucher and $12,000 thereafter. For the 2011-2012 FY, proposed voucher amounts are $10,000 per voucher for the first 30 vouchers, $8,000 per voucher for 31-65 vouchers, and $6,000 per voucher for 66-100 vouchers.

Eligible Truck and Bus Voucher Amounts

The first vehicle purchased by a fleet in HVIP gets an additional $5,000 added to the voucher amount. ARB-certified hybrids above 14,000 GVWR get an additional $5,000 added to the voucher amount per vehicle.

Visit www.californiahvip.org or contact David Kantor at 626-744-5611 or dkantor@calstart.org for more information.