CARB offers $125M in off-road zero-emissions equipment incentives

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is furthering its statewide greenhouse gas reductions initiative by again offering point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emissions equipment through its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE). The project, which is administered by CALSTART, will issue vouchers valued at up to a maximum of $500,000 per voucher to qualified participants. Voucher amounts are based on the incremental cost difference between traditional equipment and new zero-emissions alternatives.

The first round of the project resulted in more than 460 vouchers being issued for vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment totaling over $62 million, with terminal tractors being the most requested equipment type. The project now has $125 million in funding available, more than double the amount allocated when the project launched in January 2020.

“California is backing up its commitment to clean the air in overburdened communities and carry out the direction of the Governor’s Executive Order with a significant investment in zero-emission vehicles and sustainable transportation,” Craig Segall, CARB deputy executive officer, stated in announcing the project’s second round. “CORE is specifically designed to assist industry sectors that currently use off-road equipment and can help clean up the communities hardest hit by air pollution.”

Originally targeted to freight, CORE is expanding in 2022 to include funding for the commercial harbor craft and agricultural and construction sectors. It now supports equipment in the following categories:

• On- and off-road terminal tractors
• Truck- and trailer-mounted transport refrigeration units (TRUs)
• Large forklifts and cargo-handling equipment
• Airport ground-support equipment
• Railcar movers and switcher locomotives
• Mobile power units (MPUs) and mobile shore-power cable management systems
• Construction equipment
• Agricultural equipment
• Commercial harbor craft

In addition, participation in the project has been streamlined for ease of use, and there is no requirement to scrap, sell or retire existing equipment. Additional funding may also be available under the program for charging/refueling infrastructure, equipment operated in disadvantaged communities and small businesses.