 | | | useful information | | | | While the MSRC provides Clean Transportation Funding to support a variety of emission reduction programs, you can take steps every day to reduce the amount of pollution that you generate as you commute to work or travel around the Southland. Whether it’s buying a cleaner, more efficient car when you’re in the market for a new vehicle, or just taking better care of the car you drive today, you can help improve air quality and save money on gasoline in the process.
Finding alternative fuel stations
The Better World Club, a green auto club, in partnership with WestStart-CALSTART provides drivers with alternative fuel station information while on the go via a free phone service that uses information from WestStart-CALSTART’s CleanCarMaps.com website.
Alternative fuel vehicle drivers can call the Better World Club to receive information on the nearest refueling station. They don’t even need to be Better World Club members to take advantage of this service; anyone can call the toll-free number, (866) 238 -1137, and a Better World Club operator will provide the nearest refueling station in California, Nevada, and Arizona.
Consumer tips for saving fuel
Vehicle maintenance: - Keep your vehicle well maintained with regular servicing
- Inflate tires to the maximum recommended pressure – this can improve gas mileage by as much as 6%
- Reduce extra weight by cleaning out trunk or truck bed – every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your fuel mileage
- Use the recommended grade of motor oil
- Use the right grade of gas – don’t use premium blends unless your car requires them
- Don’t top off
Drive differently: - Accelerate gradually
- Avoid sudden braking
- Don’t speed – gas mileage declines rapidly above 60mph, each 5mph above 60mph is like paying an additional 10 cents per gallon
- Maintain steady speeds - take advantage of the cruise control
- Minimize the amount of time your vehicle idles
- Combine trips; avoid peak rush hours
- Use the air conditioner conservatively – operating an air conditioner in hot weather can increase fuel usage by 20%; however, when on the freeway, close your windows and use the A/C. Having windows open at high speeds reduces your vehicle’s operating efficiency
- Avoid carrying items on your vehicle’s roof
Long-term investments in fuel economy: - Trade in older vehicles for something new
- Purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle
More tips: Incentives for clean-fuel vehicles
Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Hybrid Motor Vehicle Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides a fuel economy and conservation credit for hybrid light-duty vehicles and trucks (<8,501 lb GVWR) placed in service after December 31, 2005. The credit can be worth up to $3,000 for the most fuel-efficient models. The precise amount of the credit depends on the make and model of the vehicle and when the vehicle was purchased.
This tax credit expires December 31, 2010.
Click here for more information.
Heavy-Duty Hybrid Motor Vehicle Credit
A Credit of up to $12,000 is available for certain qualified heavy-duty hybrid vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 8,500 pounds placed into service after December 31, 2005. This tax credit expires December 31, 2009.Click here for more information.
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 makes a tax credit available to buyers of new qualified alternative fuel vehicles of up to $32,000 for vehicles placed into service after December 31, 2005. Qualified alternative fuel motor vehicles can be either new, "original equipment" installation vehicles or prior use vehicles which have been "converted" (repowered by an aftermarket installer) to use an alternative fuel. Qualifying alternative fuels include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen and any liquid at least 85% of the volume of which condists of methanol. This tax credit expires December 31, 2010.Click here for more information.
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit (Qualified Fuel Cell Motor Vehicles)
A tax credit is available for qualified fuel cell vehicles placed into service after December 31, 2005 including passenger automobiles, light trucks, or motor vehicles other than a passenger automobile or light truck. The amount of the crdit is based on the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle and when the vehicle is placed into service. An additional credit may be available based on a comparison of the city fuel economy rating of that vehicle with the 2002 model year city fuel economy of a vehicle in its weight class.
The credit for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 8,500 pounds is $8,000 for vehicles placed into service before December 2009, and $4,000 for those placed into service after that date. The base amount of the credit for heavier vehicles ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, even for vehicles placed into service after December 31, 2009. The tax credit for fuel cell vehicles expires December 31, 2014.Click here for more information.
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of alternative fuel fueling equipment, not to exceed $30,000. Qualifying alternative fuels are natural gas, liquified petroleum gas, hydrogen, E85, or diesel fuel blends containing a minimum of 20% biodiesel. Buyers of residential refueling equipment can receive a tax credit for $1,000. For non-tax-paying entities, the credit can be passed back to the equipment seller. The credit is effective on equipment put into service after December 31, 2005, and before December 31, 2009 (the hydrogen property credit expires in 2014).
Incentives for Ethanol and Biodiesel
Tax incentives for alcohol and biodiesel fuels are available to blenders/retailers. The credits are 51 cents per gallon of ethanol at 190 proof or greater, $1.00 per gallon of agri-biodiesel, and 50 cents per gallon of pure biodiesel made from other sources (e.g. waste grease).
Click here for more information.
Fueling Alternatives - California's Alternative Fuel Vehicles Rebate Program
The Fueling Alternatives program has a total of $1.8 million available for vehicle incentive rebates to promote the use and production of alternative fuels. Rebates of up to $5,000 are available to customers who purchase or lease new eligible alternative fuel vehicles between May 24, 2007 and March 31, 2009, or until funding runs out. Funding if offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible vehicles include Full Function Zero Emission Vehicles, City Zero Emission Vehicles, and cerain hydrogen and natural gas vehicles.California Energy Commission
Other sources of information on incentives for AFV
Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center
California Energy Commission
ARB Drive Clean website
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
The Hybrid Center
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