California would spend up to $3 billion under a bill to widely expand its consumer rebate program for zero-emission vehicles.
The state has already spent nearly $450 million in subsidies, but the Los Angeles Times reported that, so far, the rebates haven't boosted sales much. Out of 26 million cars and light trucks registered in California, just 315,000 are electric or plug-in hybrids.
Now the Legislature is pushing forward a bill that could lift rebates from $2,500 to $10,000 or more for a compact electric car. That could, for example, make a Chevrolet Bolt electric car cost the same as a gasoline-driven Honda Civic.
Already approved in committee, the bill will go to Gov. Jerry Brown for his approval or veto if the full Legislature approves it by end of session Sept. 15. The rebate program expansion is part of larger plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to 40 percent below what they were in 1990.
The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), also would speed the process of obtaining a rebate. Currently, a check from the state treasury arrives after the buyer purchases the car and complete the rebate application.
The bill would reduce the rebate amount off the sale price with money going from the state to the car dealer.
Rebates would be calculated based on the difference in price between an electric vehicle and a comparable internal combustion model. The thinking is that a buyer might be more likely to buy the electric model if it doesn't cost thousands of dollars more.
