(a) For purposes of this section, “low income” means a resident of the state whose household income is less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
(b) Beginning November 1, 2016, under the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project established as a part of the Air Quality Improvement Program, the state board shall do the following:
(1) Only offer rebates to applicants who purchase an eligible vehicle and have a gross annual income, as reported on the Internal Revenue Service Form 1040, the Internal Revenue Service Form 1040A, or the Internal Revenue Service Form 1040EZ, that does not exceed the following:
(A) One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for single filers.
(B) Two hundred four thousand dollars ($204,000) for head-of-household filers.
(C) Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for joint filers.
(2) Increase the rebate payment by five hundred dollars ($500) for a low-income applicant for all eligible vehicle types.
(3) Only offer rebates for plug-in hybrids that have an electric range of at least 20 miles.
(4) Provide outreach to low-income households to increase consumer awareness of the rebate project.
(5) Prioritize rebate payments to low-income applicants.
(c) The income restrictions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) shall not apply to fuel cell vehicles.
(d) (1) No later than December 31, 2018, the state board shall work with, and contract with, either the University of California or the California State University to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report on the impact of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project on the state’s zero-emission vehicle market. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the impact of income caps, increased rebates for low-income consumers, and increased outreach on the electric vehicle market, as well as a quantification of emissions reductions attributable to the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
(2) No later than July 1, 2018, the Department of Finance shall submit to the Legislature a report evaluating the fiscal impact the rebates distributed pursuant to this section have had on both of the following:
(A) The revenue sources from which moneys have been appropriated to implement this section.
(B) The overall annual state budget.
(3) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 631, Sec. 1. (AB 615) Effective October 10, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2019, by its own provisions.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018