SACRAMENTO- The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is helping to accelerate the deployment of approximately 800 new hybrid medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in California by providing vouchers for the purchase of new hybrid trucks and buses totaling more than $20 million.

ARB is soliciting the grants through its $20.4 million Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). The HVIP was approved by the Board as part of the AB 118 Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Funding Plan for Fiscal Year 2009-10.

Individuals, Federal, state, or local government entities or agencies, and organizations with California heavy-duty vehicle, vehicle incentive project, or air quality expertise may apply via thissolicitation to become the HVIP grantee. Applications are due to ARB by Sept. 30. The grant solicitation and all associated documents can be found on ARB's Web page at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aqip/solicitations.htm.

ARB will hold an Applicant Workshop to answer questions regarding this grant solicitation on Sept. 16.  The Applicant Workshop will provide an opportunity for potential applicants to ask clarifying questions regarding general application requirements. Additional information regarding the HVIP and the Applicant Workshop may be found in the HVIP grant solicitation and on ARB's webpage or by contacting Joe Calavita at jcalavit@arb.ca.gov.