The Air Resources Board (ARB) approved $27 million for its Air Quality Improvement Program, a statewide effort to provide incentives for the purchase of advanced-technology passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks.

ARB will use the majority of those funds for its California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project to provide incentives for the purchase of zero-emission and plug-in hybrid passenger cars. Complementing this investment will be up to an additional $5 million dollars from the California Energy Commission.

"This unique incentive program makes ultra-clean cars affordable for more Californians, helps slash smog-forming pollution, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding the market for the world's most advanced technology vehicles, California remains the global center for clean cars and generates a wide range of new jobs to manufacture, service and fuel them," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols.

Ten million dollars will go to incentives for hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses. Another $2 million of funding will be used for advanced-technology demonstration projects supporting the commercialization of new vehicle and equipment technologies to help pave the way for healthier air for California.

Since this program began in 2008, there have been more than 7,500 passenger cars and over one thousand trucks or buses that have received incentives through the Air Quality Improvement Program, according to the ARB.

The program is designed to accelerate the number of ultra-clean vehicles sold in California and help establish a sustainable market for them. The program also supports the comprehensive Advanced Clean Car regulation ARB adopted earlier this year. Information on the rebate project, including an application and required documents, list of eligible vehicles and real-time funding status is available at: www.cvrp.energycenter.org.

California fleets can also take advantage of funding from the Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. Details are available at www.californiahvip.org.