The California Energy Commission has awarded $4.5m for the state's Air Resources Board to provide funding for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
The funding will be employed to augment the purchase of light-duty zero-emission electric vehicles and light-duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Stipulations as part of the award outline that the vehicles purchased must be capable of freeway operation and certified for at least four passengers.
California energy commission chair Robert B. Weisenmiller noted that the funding will help clean-energy vehicles become more affordable for the state’s residents.
"Additionally, it builds on a productive partnership of public agencies to help make substantial progress toward a future of clean, sustainable transportation," said Weisenmiller.
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project is administered by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, selected by the Air Resources Board via a competitive bid.
The CEC’s funding is consistent with the state’s target of having 1.5 million electric vehicles in the state by 2025.