Photo: Toyota
Let's say someone would be willing to pay you a certain amount of money and all you have to do was buy an electric vehicle? Would you do it?
While you think about that, allow us to tell you that this is already happening in California. Honestly, it doesn't surprise us a bit that authorities governing the Golden State started a pilot project aimed to make plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles a lot more affordable, according to Green Car Reports.
Long story short, some families might qualify to receive as much as $12,000 if they decide to spend it on an electric car, but that's not it. As much as $2,000 can be granted for a charging unit, and we haven't told you the best part yet.
Used cars are also accepted, but they must not go over the eight years-old timeframe. However, combined with the maximum amount of money paid by the state, one could end up having an EV for free.
But there's also a catch here. In these selected areas, only those who reside in a zip code that contains a disadvantaged census tract can apply for the program.
Furthermore, here's the financing scheme: those who are considered by the program to be Low Income qualify for a hybrid that’s rated higher than 35 mpg, or $9,500 toward a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle.
Moderate Income families qualify for $5,000 toward those hybrids, or $7,500 toward a plug-in hybrid or EV. Last but not least, those classified as Above Moderate Income (up to four times the federal poverty level) can get $5,500 toward a plug-in hybrid or EV.
For those who aren't familair with the US population spread, we have to explain California is the most inhabited US state, with around 38 million people living and working in the area. Therefore, air pollution levels are high, and this explains why California acts like a magnet for EVs and PHEVs, as well as such funding initiatives.
Long story short, some families might qualify to receive as much as $12,000 if they decide to spend it on an electric car, but that's not it. As much as $2,000 can be granted for a charging unit, and we haven't told you the best part yet.
Used cars are also accepted, but they must not go over the eight years-old timeframe. However, combined with the maximum amount of money paid by the state, one could end up having an EV for free.
Terms and conditions
And now, for the bureaucracy part. You can read and find out more here, but we'll make a summary for you. Incentives are provided as cash payments, but to qualify for the program, one must live in one of the two zones heavily affected by air pollution: the South Coast Air Quality Management District or the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.But there's also a catch here. In these selected areas, only those who reside in a zip code that contains a disadvantaged census tract can apply for the program.
Furthermore, here's the financing scheme: those who are considered by the program to be Low Income qualify for a hybrid that’s rated higher than 35 mpg, or $9,500 toward a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle.
Moderate Income families qualify for $5,000 toward those hybrids, or $7,500 toward a plug-in hybrid or EV. Last but not least, those classified as Above Moderate Income (up to four times the federal poverty level) can get $5,500 toward a plug-in hybrid or EV.
For those who aren't familair with the US population spread, we have to explain California is the most inhabited US state, with around 38 million people living and working in the area. Therefore, air pollution levels are high, and this explains why California acts like a magnet for EVs and PHEVs, as well as such funding initiatives.
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