FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2010
CONTACT: MK Campbell, CALSTART, 626-744-5602 or mkcampbell@calstart.org
Michael Sciortino, ACEEE, 507-4028 or msciortino@aceee.org
California Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) Recognized as
One of the Nation’s Best Energy Efficiency Programs
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Announces Winners for Top State Programs; HVIP is funded by the California Air Resources Board, operated by CALSTART
Pasadena, CA, September 15, 2010 – The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) today announced recognized a program to stimulate the purchase of hybrid trucks and buses funded by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as a top emerging energy efficiency program in the country. CALSTART manages the truck voucher program for the ARB.
Only 18 programs from 14 states are being recognized by ACEEE today. The ARB program, known officially as the Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) encouraged the purchase of more than 650 hybrid trucks and buses, and proved so popular and well-designed that within six months of launching, the entire nearly $20 million in voucher funds were applied for. The ARB recently approved further funding for fiscal year 2011 of up to $25 million for the voucher fund.
“We are honored that California’s ongoing effort to bring the most efficient vehicles to our streets was recognized by the ACEEE,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “The trucks and buses that these funds help purchase use proven advanced technology to improve fuel efficiency and clean our air.”
HVIP is a dynamic, novel approach to driving new technology to market. It is the nation’s first program to directly reduce the up-front cost of hybrid vehicles for fleets that purchase and operate them in California. The HVIP voucher cuts about half the incremental cost of purchasing early-production hybrid heavy-duty trucks and buses, helping owners buy this cleaner new technology when production volumes are still low, and prices high. Thanks to HVIP, about 650 clean trucks will be rolling on California’s roads. This increases by nearly 30 percent the nation’s number of early production hybrids. Additionally, the growth of this industry leads directly to U.S. manufacturing and technology jobs, since American companies are leaders in heavy-duty hybrid technology.
David Terry, executive director, National Association of State Energy Offices, said, “Energy efficiency efforts are thriving at the state level in ways that most people may not be aware of today. The program winners demonstrate how state governments can implement successful, cost-effective energy efficiency programs aimed at a variety of customer types. Rather than creating unnecessary competition, these programs complement and expand upon the existing energy efficiency program landscape offered by utilities and third-party program administrators.”
Hybrid technology is important because it can cut truck and bus petroleum use and emissions by 20 to 50 percent, including harmful emissions which contribute to global warming. The vehicles also reduce emissions which cause smog in California cities and towns, while saving their owners money in reduced fuel costs.
“We are extremely pleased that the ACEEE recognized the benefit of the ARB’s program to increase efficiency and deploy the next generation of trucks in California. Despite the downturn in the trucking industry, demand for these funds was high. This program is helping to improve air quality and reduce the state’s dependence on oil,” said John Boesel, CALSTART President and CEO.
Editors Note: Some of the eligible vehicles in the HVIP program are available for test drives at CALSTART’s upcoming
Hybrid Truck Users Forum National Conference in Dearborn, MI, September 28-30.
About California Air Resources Board
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.
www.arb.ca.gov
About CALSTART
CALSTART is the only organization that works to accelerate the growth of the entire clean transportation technology industry. CALSTART has more than 140 member companies representing a broad array of clean vehicles, fuels, and technologies. CALSTART provides services and consulting help to spur advanced transportation technologies, fuels, systems and the companies that make them. With its headquarters in Pasadena, CALSTART has offices in Richmond, California and Denver, Colorado. For more information visit:
www.calstart.org.
About ACEEE
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. ACEEE was founded in 1980 by leading researchers in the energy field. Since then the organization has grown to a staff of more than 40. Projects are carried out by ACEEE staff and collaborators from government, the private sector, research institutions, and other nonprofit organizations. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit
www.aceee.org.
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