by Zach McDonald - HybridCars.com

Future Golden State electric vehicle owners were given something to cheer about last week, when the California Air Resources Board (CARB) renewed funding to incentivize the purchase of clean cars and trucks in the state to the tune of $27 million. Under the program, buyers of new plug-in vehicles like the Toyota Prius Plug-in, Fisker Karma, Mitsubishi i, and Nissan LEAF are eligible for rebates of between $1,500 and $2,500.

Since 2009, California has doled out more than $21 million in rebates to consumers who purchase new cars that qualify for the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate program. The money is appropriated under CARB’s Air Quality Improvement Program, a collection of measures designed to reduce emissions from cars, trucks, buses, agricultural work vehicles, and even lawn and garden equipment.

More than 7,500 rebates have been issued during the program’s first three years. So far, it has proved such a success with new car buyers that the state has been twice forced to re-up its allocation. Last summer, CARB voted to reduce the maximum funds available through the CVR―which had originally granted as much as $5,000 to electric vehicle purchasers. Though the maximum rebate was cut in half (to a maximum of $2,500) the money can now go to more early adopters, extending past the initial years of mass-produced EV sales. The most recent allocation will hopefully keep those benefits around for at least another year.

“This unique incentive program makes ultra-clean cars affordable for more Californians, helps slash smog-forming pollution and cuts greenhouse gas emissions” said CARB chairman Mary D. Nichols. For more information on the Clean Vehicle Rebate program and how to qualify for it, visit California’s EnergyCenter.org.