California Incentives and Laws for Other

The list below contains summaries of all California incentives and laws related to Other.

State Incentives

Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Incentives

The California Energy Commission (CEC) administers the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (Program) to provide financial incentives for businesses, vehicle and technology manufacturers, workforce training partners, fleet owners, consumers, and academic institutions with the goal of developing and deploying alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies. The CEC must prepare and adopt an annual Investment Plan for the Program to establish funding priorities and opportunities that reflect program goals and to describe how program funding will be used to complement other public and private investments. Funded projects include:

• Commercial alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) demonstrations and deployment;
• Alternative and renewable fuel production;
• Research and development of alternative and renewable fuels and innovative technologies;
• AFV manufacturing;
• Workforce training; and
• Public education, outreach, and promotion.

(Reference California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Chapter 8.1 and California Health and Safety Code 44270-44274.7)

Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Research and Development

The Innovative Clean Air Technologies (ICAT) Program co-funds innovative technology demonstration projects that will improve emissions prevention or control while promoting new industries and jobs in California. Proposals related to current California Air Resources Board programs, such as developing alternatives to diesel fuel and diesel engines, increasing zero emission vehicle efficiency, and developing fuel cells and hydrogen technology, are of particular interest. As of October 2011, the ICAT Program is on hold but is expected to resume for future solicitations.

Advanced Transportation Financing

The California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA) provides financing for property used to develop and commercialize advanced transportation technologies that reduce pollution and energy use and promote economic development. Eligible advanced transportation technologies include electric vehicles, fuel cells, and ultra low emission vehicles. CAEATFA may provide financial incentives in the form of sales and use tax exclusions on qualified property. See the CAEATFA website for information about current incentives. (Reference Assembly Bill X1 14, 2011, and California Public Resources Code 26000-26017)

Technology Advancement Funding - South Coast

The South Coast Air Quality Management District's Clean Fuels Program provides funding for research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects that are expected to help accelerate the commercialization of advanced low emission transportation technologies. Eligible projects include powertrains and energy storage/conversion devices (e.g., fuel cells and batteries), and implementation of clean fuels (e.g., natural gas, propane, and hydrogen), including the necessary infrastructure. Projects are selected via specific requests for proposals on an as-needed basis or through unsolicited proposals. Approximately $10 million in funding is available annually with expected cost-share from other project partners and stakeholders.

Low Emission Vehicle Incentives and Technical Training - San Joaquin Valley

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District administers the REMOVE II program, which provides incentives for the purchase of low emission passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, small buses, and trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings of 14,000 pounds or less. The purpose of REMOVE II is to encourage the early introduction of low emission vehicles in the San Joaquin Valley. Funding in the amount of $1,000 to $3,000 is available per vehicle according to the emissions certification level and size of the vehicle. Vehicles must be powered by alternative fuel or electric or hybrid electric engines/motors. REMOVE II also includes an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Mechanic Training Component that provides incentives to educate personnel on the mechanics, operation safety, and maintenance of AFVs, fueling stations, and tools involved in the implementation of alternative fuel technologies.

Air Quality Improvement Program Funding - Ventura County

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District offers the Clean Air Fund, which provides grants for qualified air quality improvement projects located in Ventura County. The Clean Air Fund Advisory Committee is interested in projects that will have significant emissions reduction impacts or support innovative air pollution reduction technologies.

Utility/Private Incentives

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive - Coulomb Technologies

Coulomb Technologies' ChargePoint America program offers EVSE at no cost to individuals or entities in the San Jose, San Francisco Bay, Sacramento, and Los Angeles metropolitan area. To be eligible for free home charging stations, individuals living within the specified areas must purchase a qualified plug-in electric vehicle. Application information is available on the ChargePoint America website. In most cases, installation will be paid for by the EVSE owner; some cities, states, and utilities, however, will provide funding towards installation costs. All participants in the ChargePoint America program must agree to anonymous data collection after installation. Additional restrictions may apply.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Rebate - LADWP

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) provides rebates of up to $2,000 to residential customers who purchase or lease a new electric vehicle and install Level 2 EVSE with a separate time-of-use meter at their home. Customers living in apartment buildings or condominiums may also qualify for the rebate so long as they have received permission from the property owner and/or homeowner association. The rebate is available to the first 1,000 customers that submit a completed application. The program will expire on June 30, 2013, when the program goals are met, or when the funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. For program guidelines and application materials, see the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Rebate Program website.

Laws and Regulations

Common Interest Development Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Regulations

Community apartment projects, condominium projects, planned developments, stock cooperatives, or other common interest developments may not prohibit or unreasonably restrict the installation or use of EVSE. (Reference Senate Bill 209, 2011, and California Civil Code 1353.9)

Access to Plug-In Electric Vehicle Registration Records

The California Department of Motor Vehicles may disclose to an electrical corporation or local publicly owned utility a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owner's address and vehicle type if the information is used exclusively to identify where the PEV is registered. (Reference Senate Bill 859, 2011, and California Vehicle Code 1808.23)

Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax Feasibility Evaluation

To facilitate a reliable and steady funding mechanism for maintaining and improving surface transportation infrastructure, the California Legislature requests the President and Congress to consider and enact legislation to conduct a feasibility study of the collection process for a transportation revenue source based on vehicle miles traveled. (Reference Assembly Joint Resolution 5, 2011)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Information Resource

The California Energy Commission, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, must develop and maintain a website containing specific links to electrical corporations, local publicly owned electric utilities, and other websites that contain information specific to plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), including the following:

• Resources to help consumers determine if their residences will require utility service upgrades to accommodate PEVs;
• Basic charging circuit requirements;
• Utility rate options; and
• Load management techniques.

(Reference California Public Resources Code 25227)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Evaluation

The California Public Utilities Commission (Commission), in consultation with the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, electrical corporations, and the motor vehicle industry, must evaluate policies to develop infrastructure sufficient to overcome barriers to the widespread deployment and use of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). By July 1, 2011, the Commission must adopt rules to address the following:

• The impacts on electrical infrastructure and any infrastructure upgrades necessary for widespread use of PEVs, including the role and development of public charging infrastructure;
• The impact of PEVs on grid stability and the integration of renewable energy resources;
• The technological advances necessary to ensure the widespread use of PEVs and what role the state should take to support the development of this technology;
• The existing code and permit requirements that will impact the widespread use of PEVs and any recommended changes to existing policies that may be barriers to the widespread use of PEVs;
• The role the state should take to ensure that technologies employed in PEVs work harmoniously and across service territories; and
• The impact of widespread use of PEVs on achieving the state's greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals and renewables portfolio standard program, and what steps should be taken to address the possibility of shifting emissions reductions responsibilities from the transportation sector to the electrical industry.

(Reference California Public Utilities Code 740.2)

State Transportation Plan

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) must update the California Transportation Plan (Plan) by December 31, 2015, and every five years thereafter. The Plan must address how the state will achieve maximum feasible emissions reductions, taking into consideration the use of alternative fuels, new vehicle technology, and tailpipe emissions reductions. Caltrans must prepare and submit an interim report to the California Transportation Commission and to the Senate and Assembly committees related to transportation, environmental quality, natural resources, and local government by December 31, 2012. Caltrans must consult and coordinate with related state agencies, air quality management districts, public transit operators, and regional transportation planning agencies. Caltrans must also provide an opportunity for general public input. Caltrans must submit a final draft of the Plan to the legislature and governor. (Reference California Government Code 65071-65073)

Regional Climate Change Initiative

Governors of California, Oregon, and Washington approved a series of recommendations for action to combat global warming, as detailed in the West Coast Governors' Global Warming Initiative. The three states must act individually as well as regionally to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Initiative includes adopting standards to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles by expanding markets for efficiency, renewable energy and alternative fuels, including creating a working group on developing hydrogen fuel. Building upon this commitment, California joined other western states and several Canadian provinces to sign an agreement establishing the Western Climate Initiative, a joint effort to reduce GHG emissions and address climate change.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Retrofit Emissions Inspection Process

The California Department of Health and Safety may adopt a process by which state designated referees inspect vehicles that present prohibitive inspection circumstances, such as vehicles equipped with alternative fuel retrofit systems. (Reference California Health and Safety Code 44014)

Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Policy Development

The California Energy Commission must prepare and submit an Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) to the governor on a biannual basis. The IEPR provides an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the state, including those related to transportation fuels, technologies, and infrastructure. The IEPR also examines potential effects of alternative fuels use, vehicle efficiency improvements, and shifts in transportation modes on public health and safety, the economy, resources, the environment, and energy security. The IEPR's primary purpose is to develop energy policies that conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure energy reliability, enhance the state's economy, and protect public health and safety. (Reference California Public Resources Code 25302)

Tire Inflation Requirement

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles operating inefficiently with under inflated tires. These regulations apply to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. Automotive service providers performing or offering to perform automotive maintenance or repair services in the state must:

• Check and inflate vehicle tires to the manufacturer recommended tire pressure rating, with air or nitrogen as appropriate, using a tire pressure gauge with a total permissible error of no more than plus/minus two pounds per square inch, when performing maintenance or repair;
• Indicate on the vehicle service invoice that a tire inflation service was completed and specify the resulting pressure measurements;
• Have access to a tire inflation reference published within the last three years; and
• Keep a copy of the service invoice for at least three years and make the invoice available to ARB or an authorized representative upon request.

(Reference California Code of Regulations Title 17, Section 95550)

Fuel-Efficient Tire Program Development

The California Energy Commission must adopt and implement a state-wide Fuel Efficient Tire Program that includes a consumer information and education program and minimum tire efficiency standards. (Reference California Public Resources Code 25770-25773)