City of Riverside, California - Public Works Department

:: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program is designed to encourage the purchase of alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles and to increase awareness of the benefits associated with driving a clean and green vehicle. Energy efficient cars create significant environmental benefits by reducing the amount greenhouse gases and smog-forming compounds in the air. The City of Riverside is committed to improving local and regional air quality.

Even in the best of economic times, the cost of purchasing a new vehicle can make a strong dent in the family budget so a little relief in the cost of a new vehicle is especially welcome. Knowing this, the City of Riverside Public Works Department is pleased to offer the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program click here for sample application.

How Does the Program Work?

The program will provide a rebate to City of Riverside residents who purchase a qualified alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle.

Rebates under this program are as follows:

New Vehicle Rebate: $2,000 toward the purchase of a new qualified vehicle with original manufacturer’s alternative fuel equipment (vehicles with conversions will not qualify).
Used Vehicle Rebate: $1,000 toward the purchase of a used qualified vehicle. The same requirements apply as with new vehicles.

Who Qualifies for a Rebate?

The applicant and recipient shall be a resident or employee of the City of Riverside and be able to provide proof of residency or employment at the time of rebate application submittal. A current utility bill or other acceptable proof of residency and a valid California driver’s license shall be presented at the time of application submittal.

Other limitations apply. Click here for the complete applicant eligibility requirements.

Which Vehicles Qualify for the Rebate?

In order to qualify for the rebate a vehicle must be purchased from a City of Riverside automobile dealership authorized to do business within the City and fueled exclusively by natural gas or be a gasoline-hybrid which meets the following criteria:

The vehicle achieves 34 miles per gallon or better in combined fuel economy as published at http://www.fueleconomy.gov; and
The vehicle has a smog score of 9 or better as determined by the California Air Resources Board. Smog scores of new vehicles can be found at http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/. See the complete program criteria here for further explanation.

Examples of some of the vehicles that meet the program eligibility requirements:

Electric and Gasoline-Electric Vehicles
Examples:

Chevrolet Volt
Mitsubishi I-MiEV
Nissan Leaf
Smart FORTWO

Natural Gas Vehicles
Example:

Honda Civic GX

Hybrid Vehicles
Examples:

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
2011 Honda Insight
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid
2011 Toyota Prius
2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid*
2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid*

*Newer models of previously qualifying vehicles may no longer be eligible due to changes in the vehicle’s qualifying criteria.

Other vehicles not listed may qualify. Applicants are responsible for ensuring vehicle eligibility prior to purchase. Click here for the complete vehicle eligibility requirements.

How Does One Receive a Rebate?

A rebate application shall be completed and submitted in person to the City of Riverside Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program representative within 30 days of vehicle purchase. Click here for a sample application form. Application forms will only be provided in person and must be completed upon receipt at the following location:

City of Riverside
Regional Water Quality Control Plant
5950 Acorn Street
Riverside, CA 92504

Applicants are advised to review the applicant eligibility requirements to ensure timely processing of their application.

Important Things to Know

Rebates are subject to fund availability and may be cancelled at any time.

Rebates are paid on a first come, first served basis.

Government organizations and businesses are excluded from this program.

Rebates are limited to one per Vehicle Identification Number, regardless of whether the vehicle is new or used at the time of purchase.

Rebates are limited to one (1) rebate per household, per three (3) year period, as documented by the physical address of the household.

Rebates are limited to one (1) rebate per person, per three (3) year period, as documented by their individual driver’s license number.

City employees who live in the City of Riverside cannot obtain a double rebate for the same vehicle by meeting the eligibility requirements for both resident and employee programs.

City employees who live in the City of Riverside cannot use both the resident and employee program to circumvent the one (1) rebate per household per three (3) year period limitation.

City employees who live in the City of Riverside cannot use both the resident and employee program to circumvent the one (1) rebate per person per three (3) year period limitation.

Rebate application shall be completed and submitted to the City of Riverside Citywide AFV Rebate Program representative within 30 days of vehicle purchase.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring vehicle eligibility.

The City reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program without prior notice at its discretion.

How is the Program Funded?

In 1990, California Assembly Bill 2766 was signed into law and the funding program described therein has since been known as the "AB 2766 program." AB 2766 provides for the collection of an additional $4 in motor vehicle registration fees to fund various air pollution efforts (from www.aqmd.gov). A portion of the funds collected are distributed to cities and counties, based on their percentage of population, to be used to reduce motor vehicle air pollution. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program is one of many exciting programs the City of Riverside has implemented using AB 2766 funds.

How Does One Get More Information?

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentive Program is administered by the Public Works Department. To discover the savings and learn more about the program, contact Public Works Administration at (951) 351-6140.

Clean Air

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program

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