Air Quality Improvement Program: Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.

Existing law establishes the Air Quality Improvement Program that is administered by the State Air Resources Board for the purposes of funding projects related to, among other things, the reduction of criteria air pollutants and improvement of air quality. Pursuant to its existing statutory authority, the state board has established the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, as a part of the Air Quality Improvement Program, to promote the production and use of zero-emission vehicles by providing rebates for the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles. Existing law requires the state board, for the purposes of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, to provide outreach to low-income households and low-income communities to increase consumer awareness of the rebate project and, until January 1, 2022, to prioritize rebate payments to low-income applicants. This bill would require the state board, for the purposes of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and until January 1, 2022, to increase rebate payments by $500 for low-income applicants and to only offer rebates for plug-in hybrids that have an electric range of at least 40 miles. This bill also would require the state board, for the purposes of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and until January 1, 2022, through a public process, to consider changing the eligibility requirements to increase the number of rebates provided to people who qualify as being low income, live in low-income communities, live in disadvantaged communities, and live in an air basin that is designated as being in nonattainment for any criteria air pollutant. The bill would require the state board, when considering changing those eligibility requirements, to consider specified requirements, impacts, and purposes.