California’s “CARS” Program
Pliot program announced to create an incentive program to scrap old polluting clunkers for hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (ZEVs).? Pilot program is for the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley air districts.
Need Based Incentives based on three separate income levels: (see Federal Poverty Level Tables below).
- Low Income – household income equal to or less than 225 % of the federal poverty level
- Moderate Income – household income 226 to 300 % of the federal poverty level
- Above Moderate – household income 301 to 400 % of the federal poverty level
In addition, those individuals must reside in a ZIP code that contains a disadvantaged census tract
Incentives are also based on level of car being purchased.
| Hybrid(35+ mpg) | Plugin-in Hybrid | Electric Vehicle | |
| Low Income | $7K | $11k | $12k |
| Moderate Income | $5k | $9k | $10k |
| Above Moderate Income | $0k | $7k | $8k |
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Have a clunker to scrap but don’t want to buy a new car?
Money for public transit
If you scrap an old, dirty car but choose not to replace it, you are also eligible for vouchers for public transit passes, between $2,500 and $4,500 in value, depending on your income level.
Contact the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District at (559) 230-6000, or in the Greater Los Angeles area contact South Coast Air Quality Management District staff at (909) 396-2647.
If the pilot programs are not available in your area learn more about existing etablished statewide California car buyback programs.
table source : Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines – 2015 Federal Register
