California may expand EV incentives
California is considering expanding its popular incentive programme to help low-income individuals purchase green vehicles. The Enhanced Fleet Modernisation Program Plus-Up provides incentives of up to $9.5k to low-income drivers who trade in their petrol cars for a plug-in vehicle, however it only currently covers the Los Angeles area. The plan is to roll the programme out soon to cover more parts of California where there are disadvantaged communities.

California may soon expand a program aimed at helping lower-income individuals switch to more efficient cars.

The Golden State previously launched "cash for clunkers" programs that incentivized the retirement of older, higher-polluting cars.

But last year it also introduced the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program Plus-Up pilot, which provides incentives of up to $9,500 to low-income drivers who trade their old cars for plug-in electric cars.

DON'T MISS: California Helps Low-Income Drivers Switch To Electric Cars (May 2015)

Right now, that program only includes residents of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (covering the Los Angeles area) and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Legislation introduced in February could open the door to expansion of "Plus-Up" to other parts of California.

Assembly Bill 1965 calls for expansion of the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program, with greater emphasis on disadvantaged communities.

2016 Nissan Leaf

It includes language stating that specific steps should be taken "to ensure the vehicle replacement component of the program is available in all districts containing disadvantaged communities.

The bill, which covers the state's 2016-2017 fiscal year, also calls for expanding funds for "targeted outreach" to reach disadvantaged communities.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper, AB 1965's author, previously said the legislation's goal was to expand the "Plus-Up" program to regions beyond the two where it is already available.

ALSO SEE: Utilities To Lead Surge Of Electric-Car Charging In Southern California

In its current form, "Plus-Up" provides incentives based on household income and the type of vehicle being purchased.

Households are divided into Low Income (225 percent of the Federal poverty level or less), Moderate Income (226 to 300 percent of the poverty level), and Above Moderate Income (up to four times the federal poverty level).

Income level determines the amount of incentives a household can receive for a fuel-efficient gasoline car, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery-electric car.

2013 Chevrolet Volt in Santa Monica, California [photo: Chris Williams]

These incentives can also be combined with California's $2,500 rebate for new electric cars, or its $1,500 rebate for new plug-in hybrids.

With the statewide purchase rebates factored in, a low-income family purchasing a battery-electric car may be eligible for up to $12,000 in combined incentives.

MORE: Colorado's Electric-Car Credit: Applies To Used Cars Too (May 2015)

The program also applies to used cars, and certain households can even get transit passes worth $2,500 to $4,500.

The only other current state-level incentive program that includes used electric cars is in Colorado, where the state's income-tax credit applies to any new or used electric vehicle that has not previously been registered in the state.

_______________________________________________

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter