Courtesy of Monterey Bay Community Power:
Monterey Bay Community Power and Monterey Bay Air Resources District today launched the Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (Monterey Bay eVIP), offering thousands of dollars in potential savings toward the purchase or lease of an electric or alternative-fuel vehicle.
Monterey Bay eVIP is a clean energy and clean air collaboration between Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) and Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) to provide $1.1 million dollars in incentives for electric and alternative fuel vehicles. Monterey Bay eVIP kicks major savings into gear through a compilation of savings opportunities: discounted dealer pricing from participating dealers, incentives from either MBCP or MBARD, plus additional opportunities to save through California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate, the PG&E Clean Fuel Rebate as well as a Federal Tax Credit.
“The Monterey Bay Region is poised to dramatically increase electric vehicle adoption,” shares MBCP Director of Communications and Energy Programs, JR Killigrew. “MBCP and MBARD are key drivers towards electrifying all types of vehicles. We’ve already identified the transportation sector as one of our top focus areas to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate criteria air pollutants, so we’ve been very motivated to offer a program which gets more people in EVs.”
Currently, less than 2% of vehicles in the tri-county are electric.
“Combining forces with MBCP to support consumers in the Monterey Bay region is a winning solution. MBARD continues to support alternative fuel vehicle adoption and we are excited to collaborate with MBCP to usher in a new era with a program that puts the consumer in the driver seat.” says David Frisbey, MBARD’s Planning and Air Monitoring Manager. Later in 2019, MBCP will be following through with significant funding available to its commercial customers who are interested in growing the number of charging stations in the Monterey Bay.
Income-qualified participants get an extra funding boost and if they stack all the opportunities together, it could mean a total savings that approaches $10,000 off the original price for eligible vehicles. The Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Incentive Program is being rolled out in two phases.
Phase 1 (May 1 – July 31), “Buy Local” is being ushered by MBCP and applies to electric vehicles only, with initial savings generated though incentives ranging from $1,000 to $4,500 depending on income-qualification and whether applicants are a business, resident, non-profit, school or public agency. Eligible vehicles include the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt available through Greenwood Chevrolet in Hollister, the 2019 Nissan LEAF and LEAF Plus available through Cardinale Nissan in Seaside, and the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf available at Santa Cruz Volkswagen. More information about Monterey Bay eVIP Phase 1 will be available beginning May 1 at mbcommunitypower.org.
Phase 2 (August 1 until funds run out), “Your Choice, Your Terms” offers any tri-county car shopper the opportunity to apply for rebates provided by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District. While potential savings are slightly less than during Phase 1, ‘Your Choice, Your Terms’ means participants have the added convenience of applying their savings to any new or used alternative-fuel vehicle purchased or leased from any dealer throughout California. More information about Monterey Bay eVIP Phase 2 will be available beginning August 1 at mbard.org.
Monterey Bay Community Power is a Community Choice Energy agency established by local communities to source carbon-free electricity for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties and now San Luis Obispo county. PG&E will continue their traditional role of delivering power and maintaining electric infrastructure. As a locally controlled not-for-profit, MBCP is not taxpayer funded and supports regional economic vitality by providing cleaner energy at a lower cost, supporting low-income rate payers, and funding local renewable energy projects. For more information, visit www.mbcommunitypower.org
