Toyota said the California has approved its 2012-MY Prius Plug-in for the State of California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP). The program is designed to promote use of Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) and related technologies.

The CVRP program offers rebates to individuals, business owners, nonprofit groups and government entities that purchase or lease new eligible zero-emissions or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Under this program, the Prius Plug-in is eligible for a $1,500 rebate that will be provided on a first come first-served basis.

Both Prius Plug-in models available are eligible for up to $4,000 worth of government-supported incentives (a $2,500 federal tax credit and $1,500 worth from the State of California’s CVRP). The vehicle is also eligible for California’s High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane sticker.

Toyota said that during EV Mode driving, the Prius Plug-in is rated at 95MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). In hybrid mode, it has an EPA combined mileage rating of 50 mpg. This means that when the EV Mode is depleted, Prius Plug-in still gets the same estimated high fuel economy rating as the Prius Liftback model. The Prius Plug-in’s lithium-ion power and extended electric vehicle mode give it an EPA-rated total driving range of 540 miles.