List includes HD Vehicles from Major Truck OEMs and 66 Honda Civics
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved funding to help bring as many as 357 natural gas-powered shuttle buses, cars and trucks to California’s roadways. CEC is authorised to develop and deploy alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies to help achieve the state’s climate change policies and has issued funds under its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.
To make the Energy Commission’s buy-down program as efficient and simple as possible, the incentive reservations are awarded in blocks to vehicle manufacturers or their designated dealers. The incentives are passed on to the individual buyers at the point of sale. Applications from manufacturers for the program are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. To benefit from the incentives, purchasers must agree to operate the vehicles in California on the alternative fuel at least 90 percent of the time for three years.
The approved incentives go to these companies:
- Crane Carrier Company (Tulsa, Oklahoma) is awarded $884,000 to help buy- down 34 natural gas vehicles in the 26,001 pounds and greater gross vehicle weight range. The company is the original equipment manufacturer of heavy-duty, custom-built, specialty vehicles including refuse collection trucks, terminal tractors, airport refueling vehicles and custom chassis for construction and agricultural use.
- Kenworth Truck Company (Kirkland, Washington) is awarded $884,000 for the buy-down of 34 natural gas vehicles of 26,001 pounds and greater gross vehicle weight range. Kenworth is the original equipment manufacturer of the vehicles.
- Navistar, Inc. (Lisle, Illinois) is awarded $400,000 for the buy-down of 20 of its natural gas-powered vehicles in the 14,001-to-26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight category, and $884,000 for the buy-down of 34 natural gas vehicles in the 26,001 pounds and greater gross vehicle weight range. Total reservation amount for this original equipment manufacturer is $1,284,000.
- Arata Equipment Company (San Carlos, California) is awarded $884,000 for the buy-down of 34 vehicles manufactured by American LaFrance. The vehicles must be powered by natural gas and are in the 26,001 pounds and greater gross vehicle weight range.
- Peterbilt Motors Company (Denton, Texas), is awarded $884,000 for 34 natural gas vehicles in the 26,001 pounds and greater gross vehicle weight category. Peterbilt is the original equipment manufacturer of the trucks.
- Autocar, LLC (Hagerstown, Indiana), is awarded $884,000 for the buy-down of 34 natural gas vehicles of 26,001 pounds and greater gross vehicle weight range. The company is the original equipment manufacturer of heavy-duty specialty vehicles including refuse collection trucks, crane trucks and other custom vehicles for construction and agricultural use.
- Greenkraft, Inc. (Santa Ana, California), is awarded $400,000 for the buy-down of 20 natural gas vehicles of the 14,001-to-26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight range. Greenkraft is a manufacturer and distributor specializing in commercial forward cab trucks.
- Towne Ford (Redwood City, California), is awarded $80,000 for the buy-down of 10 natural gas vehicles in the 8,501-to-14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight category. The original equipment manufacturer will be Ford Motor Company.
- A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. (Colton, California) also is awarded $200,000 for the buy-down of 10 natural gas buses manufactured by ARBOC Specialty Vehicles. The 10 low-floor buses will be in the 14,001-to-26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight category.
- Hansel Ford, Inc. (Santa Rosa, California), is awarded $56,000 for the buy-down of 7 natural gas vehicles, in the gross weight range of 8,501 to 14,000 pounds, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company.
- Serramonte Ford (Colma, California), is awarded $64,000 for the buy-down of 8 natural gas Ford-manufactured vehicles in the 8,501-to-14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight category.
- American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Torrance, California) is awarded $198,000 for the buy-down of 66 natural gas-powered Honda Civics – vehicles of up to 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight.
“By encouraging the use of alternatively fueled vehicles, we are helping create jobs and reduce California’s dependency on petroleum,” said Energy Commissioner Carla Peterman. “Using cleaner-burning fuels also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. Cleaner air will protect the environment and the health of all Californians throughout the 20-year expected life-span of these vehicles. Consumers and businesses also will save money by using a domestically produced, lower-cost alternative fuel.”
More information about the Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program is available at the Energy Commission’s DRIVE website at: www.energy.ca.gov/drive
(This article compiled using information from a California Energy Commission press release)
