City of Lake Elsinore Offers Residents Up To $2,000 For Buying 'Clean' Vehicles

The following is a news release from the City of Lake Elsinore:

The City of Lake Elsinore is pleased to announce the Clean Air Vehicle Incentive Program intended to encourage the purchase of clean hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles from valid and currently licensed Lake Elsinore auto dealerships to improve local air quality.

The program was approved by the City Council at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of September 25, 2012. The City Council authorized the funding amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the remainder of fiscal year 2012-2013. Reimbursements will be made on a first come, first served basis until allocated funds are depleted annually.

The City is currently offering residents rebates of two-thousand dollars ($2,000) for a new or leased qualifying vehicle or one-thousand dollars ($1,000) towards the purchase of a used qualifying vehicle respectively. All applicants shall be residents of the City of Lake Elsinore and must provide proof of residency at the time they submit an application to participate in the rebate program. Qualifying vehicles shall be exclusively alternative fuel with original manufacturer’s equipment or hybrid technology meeting the following criteria:

• Have a minimum combined fuel economy of thirty-four (34) miles per gallon (MPG) or better as published at www.fueleconomy.gov; and
• Have a minimum “Smog Score” of 9 or better as published at www.driveclean.ca.gov.
• Fueled exclusively with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), (one example is the Honda Civic CNG); or
• Be a plug in electric vehicle licensed for highway use (Nissan Leaf is one example)

Rebate applications shall be filed in person at the City of Lake Elsinore at 130 S. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 within 30 days of vehicle purchase. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the complete applicant and vehicle eligibility requirements prior to purchasing any vehicle. The City is not responsible for any/all automobile purchases that fail to meet program requirements.  Rebates are issued by check and mailed to the applicant’s residence. Applicants should allow approximately three (3) weeks for approval, processing, and delivery.

For more information on the Clean Air Vehicle Incentive program, please contact Justin Carlson (Management Analyst) at jcarlson@lake-elsinore.org, (951) 674-3124 ext. 314, or at City Hall at 130 S. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530.

City website:  www.lake-elsinore.org

Telephone:  951-674-3124           

Fax 951-674-2392

Business Hours: 

Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm.