Funding Updates Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project

CORE Newsletter: April 2025

Funding Update

The CORE team, along with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), is proud to have helped give landscaping professionals access to zero-emission equipment that benefits their environment, communities, and personal health. We’re excited to share that all funding for the Professional Landscape Service Equipment funding segment has been fully requested and is now oversubscribed.

CORE is still accepting voucher requests, however funding is not guaranteed. Requests for landscaping equipment will be placed on a contingency list and may receive funding if existing vouchers are canceled or not redeemed. For more information, contact [email protected].

APPLY NOW

Upcoming Events

2025 California Green Building Conference

Be part of the movement shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future. Join industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the latest in green building, sustainable infrastructure, and the path to decarbonized construction.

Visit our booth to connect with CORE Project Administrators and discover how zero-emission off-road equipment incentives are accelerating the transition to cleaner technologies across California’s construction and industrial sectors.

USGBC Photo

Date: May 22, 2025
Location: Fort Mason Center – San Francisco, CA
Hosted By: U.S. Green Building Council California

REGISTER NOW

Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive

Experience the future of clean transportation with a wide range of zero-emission vehicles and equipment on site. Our past Ride and Drive events have featured over 70 Class 2b-8 trucks, buses, vans, and off-road equipment, offering an unparalleled opportunity to test drive and explore cutting-edge technology firsthand. Stop by the CORE booth to learn more about clean off-road technology and incentives.

ZET Anaheim Save the Date

Date: June 18, 2025
Location: Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
Hosted By: CALSTART

REGISTER NOW

Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe Featuring CALSTART Speaker, Emily Spath

The Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe, the world’s leading exhibition and conference for maritime electrification, decarbonization, and GHG reduction solutions, returns to Amsterdam in June 2025. This event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to showcase the latest electric and hybrid marine transportation and propulsion solutions, shore charging equipment, and cutting-edge technologies aimed at achieving zero-emission shipping and net-zero goals.

Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to CORE’s Emily Spath, Project Manager for Maritime, discuss the adoption and advancements of zero-emission marine transportation technologies.

Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe

Date: June 24 – June 26, 2025
Location: RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hosted By: Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe

REGISTER NOW

CORE in the Community – Event Recaps

Gardenland’s Zero-E Expo

In April, CORE Project Administrators attended Gardenland’s Zero-E Expo in Campbell, CA, to educate landscapers on the benefits of zero-emission equipment. Connecting to incentive programs that make these innovative technologies accessible made this show a great opportunity for industry professionals. Attendees enjoyed hands-on experience with the latest battery-powered tools and learned about the benefits of switching to zero-emission equipment. We appreciate everyone who stopped by the booth to learn more about the CORE program!

Gardenland's Zero-E Expo

ACT Expo

Happening now: We’re at the ACT Expo in Anaheim, April 28–May 1. It’s North America’s largest event for advanced commercial vehicle technology that brings together industry stakeholders to explore innovative clean vehicles and off-road equipment. Stop by booth #6815 (Hall A), to chat with our team and receive guidance on how to take advantage of this great incentive program.

ACT Expo Booth

by Elishia Sharie

CORE Newsletter: March 2025

Funding Update

Professional Landscape Service Equipment Funding Moving Fast

Go electric and save big! The CORE Professional Landscape Service Equipment funding segment is accepting new voucher requests from small business landscaping professionals and sole proprietors. Act fast! Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

APPLY NOW

Upcoming Events

Gardenland's 4th Annual Zero-E Expo Event

At the Zero-E Expo, attendees will have the opportunity to test out the latest electric mowers, blowers and other zero-emission landscape technology. Hundreds of battery-powered equipment will be available for hands-on demos, and attendees can learn about the benefits of these tools. Industry professionals will be available to discuss local and state equipment funding opportunities. See you there!

Gardenland register zero e expo 2025

Date: April 24, 2025
Location: Campbell, CA
Hosted By: Gardenland

REGISTER NOW

ACT Expo

The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, North America’s largest event for advanced commercial vehicle technology, will bring together the transportation industry to explore the latest advancements in clean vehicles and off-road technology. The fleet-focused agenda will highlight innovations, solutions, policies, and programs driving sustainable commercial transportation.

Visit CORE at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Booth #6815 (Hall A) to engage with Project Administrators and learn more about zero-emission off-road equipment and California off-road incentives. Our team will be available to answer your questions and provide information to help you navigate the latest advancements and opportunities in clean transportation.

ACT Expo Booth

Date: April 28 - May 1, 2025
Location: Anaheim, CA
Hosted By: Advanced Clean Transportation Expo

REGISTER NOW

Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive

Experience the future of clean transportation with a wide range of zero-emission vehicles and equipment on site. Our past Ride and Drive events have featured over 70 Class 2b-8 trucks, buses, vans, and off-road equipment—offering an unparalleled opportunity to test drive and explore cutting-edge technology firsthand. Stop by the CORE booth to learn more about clean off-road technology and incentives.

ZET Anaheim Save the Date

Date: June 18, 2025
Location: Anaheim, CA
Hosted By: CALSTART

REGISTER NOW

Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe

Date: June 24 - June 26, 2025
Location: RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hosted By: Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe

REGISTER NOW

CORE in the Community - Event Recaps

Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology Informational Session

The Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology (SF-ADAPT) is dedicated to fostering research and development collaborations that directly benefit small- and medium-scale farming operations. They aim to bridge the gap between advanced agricultural technology and the practical needs of farmers, ensuring that innovations are not only effective but also accessible.

Most recently, CORE Project Administrators participated in the SF-ADAPT Informational Session to gain insight on the needs of small- and medium-scale farmers as well as better understand how to bridge the gaps between farmers and available zero-emission agricultural equipment through California funding incentives.

LEARN MORE TODAY

Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology (SF-ADAPT)

by Elishia Sharie

CORE Heavy-Duty FY 22-23 Funding Cycle Closed, Commercial Harbor Craft Segment Extended Through April 1, 2024

HD Infographic for Closing FY 22 23

The California CORE Project closed its heavy-duty equipment funding segment on January 18, receiving 1368 voucher requests for off-road ZE equipment, as well as an additional 745 requests for charging equipment. Of these requests, 696 were funded in disadvantaged communities (DACs), and 191 participants were small businesses. Additionally, demand exceeded the amount of available funding. Three new equipment categories – construction, agriculture, and mobile power units – were fully subscribed!

Although the general heavy-duty funding segment has closed, the voucher submittal-period window for the Commercial Harbor Craft segment has been extended through April 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. PT. Programmatic updates on contingency list allocations will be announced in coming months.

Now that the CORE heavy-duty fiscal year 22-23 funding segment has closed, CORE Project administrators will be hosting a Heavy-Duty Update Webinar on February 21, 2024 from 12 to 2 p.m. PT to inform participants and request public comment from stakeholders about plans for FY 22-23 contingency-list funding and the upcoming CORE FY 23-24 funding cycle. 

Register Now

by Elishia Sharie

Professional Landscape Service Equipment Voucher Funds are Exhausted

Funding for the California CORE Project’s Professional Landscape Service Equipment segment has now been exhausted.

California Senate Bill 170 appropriated approximately $27 million toward the funding of Professional Landscape Service Equipment, which launched in November 2022, giving hundreds of small businesses and sole proprietors across California the opportunity to take advantage of a momentous voucher incentive project to transition to zero-emission landscaping equipment.

Additional funding opportunities for landscaping equipment can be found using CALSTART's Advanced Vehicle Technology and Infrastructure Funding Finder Tool or a local air district (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/california-air-districts)

The results of the CORE Project’s Professional Landscaper Service Equipment segment between November 2022 and September 2023 can be found below.

by Elishia Sharie

$182 Million In CORE Heavy-Duty Funding Available July 18, 2023

CORE FY 22-23 Heavy-Duty Funding Segment Opens for New Voucher Requests

Date: July 18, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. PST

How to Participate

The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives allocated $182 million to the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Program (CORE). CORE is intended to accelerate the adoption of cleaner, commercially available off-road technologies by providing a streamlined way for fleets ready to purchase specific zero-emission equipment. On July 18, 2023, CALSTART the CORE Project Administrators will open the FY 22-23 CORE funding for CORE eligible zero-emission heavy-duty off-road equipment vouchers.

The Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) is intended to accelerate deployment of advanced technology in the off-road sector by providing a streamlined way for fleets to access funding that helps offset the incremental cost of such technology. CORE targets commercial-ready products that have not yet achieved a significant market foothold. By promoting the purchase of clean technology over internal combustion options, the Project is expected to reduce emissions, particularly in areas that are most impacted; help build confidence in zero-emission technology in support of CARB strategies and subsequent regulatory efforts where possible; and provide other sector-wide benefits, such as technology transferability, reductions in advanced-technology component costs, and larger infrastructure investments.

CORE provides vouchers to California purchasers and lessees of zero-emission off-road equipment on a first-come, first-served basis, with increased incentives for equipment located in disadvantaged communities and small businesses.

Did you know that some CORE funded equipment can be used to meet regulatory compliance requirements? Recent CARB adopted proposed amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation include voluntary compliance flexibilities for fleets that incorporate zero-emission technology into their off-road fleets. For more information, visit https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/ordiesel, see section 2449.1(d) and (e) of the regulation for detailed information.

To participate in the CORE Project, owners/operators reach out to CORE-approved Dealers here: https://californiacore.org/dealerlist/

by Elishia Sharie

La nueva categoría de financiamiento de CORE proporciona más de $27 millones de dólares para los profesionales de jardinería de pequeñas empresas

A partir del 7 de Noviembre de 2022, los profesionales de jardinería de pequeñas empresas que califiquen pueden comprar cortadoras de césped, sopladoras y otro equipo de jardinería cero emisiones con descuento a través de una nueva categoría de financiamiento que se ofrece a través del Proyecto de Incentivos con cupones para Equipo Todoterreno Limpio (Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project, CORE) del Consejo de Recursos del Aire de California. Administrado por CALSTART, la nueva categoría de financiamiento del programa CORE tiene una asignación de más de $27 millones de dólares de fondos de cupones para servicios profesionales de jardinería operados por pequeñas empresas o propietarios únicos.

CALSTART administra el programa CORE y su nueva categoría de financiamiento para CARB. CARB anunció por primera vez esta nueva oportunidad de financiamiento en octubre.

“Los jardineros profesionales a menudo operan con márgenes de ganancias muy ajustados y pueden tener dificultades para actualizarse a una nueva tecnología”, dijo Jacob Whitson, gerente de programa de CALSTART, “Los nuevos incentivos de vales para jardinería de CORE les permitirán adoptar más fácilmente equipos profesionales de cero emisiones para sus negocios, mientras que a su vez insta a los fabricantes a expandir sus ofertas en este mercado”.

“Este nuevo equipo más limpio y silenciosocon amplia disponibilidad elimina la exposición a gases nocivos para los profesionales que operan estas máquinas y para cualquier persona cercana”, dijo Sydney Vergis, jefa de la División de Control de Fuentes Móviles de CARB. “Los fondos de los incentivos del proyecto CORE ayudarán a que más equipos de cero emisiones lleguen a las manos de los profesionales de la jardinería, al mismo tiempo que ayudan a California a cumplir sus objetivos climáticos y de aire limpio”.

Los compradores de equipos pueden solicitar cupones para los siguientes tipos de equipo de jardineríaa partir de hoy, 7 de noviembre de 2022:

Bordeadoras
Cortasetos
Desbrozadoras
Motosierras
Sierras de pértiga
Aspiradoras
Sopladoras de hojas portátiles
Sopladoras de hojas de mochila
Podadoras de empuje
Podadoras con operador a bordo/de pie
Baterías
Cargadores
Equipo de administración de energía

El sitio web de CORE presenta una lista de fabricantes de equipos de servicio de jardinería de cero emisiones aprobados y una lista de distribuidores autorizados en todo California y otros estados.

Para reunir los requisitos para los cupones, las pequeñas empresas deben ofrecer servicios de jardinería que ayuden a reparar, instalar o subcontratar el desarrollo de sistemas e instalaciones de jardinería para jardines públicos y privados y otras áreas que están diseñadas para mejorar estética, arquitectónica, hortícola o funcionalmente los terrenos dentro o alrededor de una estructura o una extensión o parcela de tierra. Además, la empresa debe ser de propiedad y operación independientes con una oficina principal que se encuentre en California. Finalmente, la empresa debe tener 100 empleados o menos y un promedio de ingresos brutos anuales de $15 millones de dólares o menos durante los tres años anteriores.

Para promover una amplia aplicación de los fondos CORE, se reservarán $10 millones de dólares de la asignación total de fondos durante 180 días naturales para garantizar que las microempresas tengan acceso a participar. Los $17 millones de dólares restantes se reservarán para pequeñas empresas.

Para enviar una solicitud para un cupón, los compradores de los vehículos deben seleccionar el equipo del catálogo y comunicarse con un distribuidor aprobado para enviar una solicitud de cupón. El concesionario enviará la solicitud de cupón al Centro de Procesamiento de cupones y el comprador del vehículo recibirá el incentivo CORE en el punto de venta.

Se han asignado otros $17.2 millones de dólares en fondos de cupones para equipo de trabajo pesado para las categorías de equipos agrícolas y de construcción respaldadas por CORE, que incluyen: cabezas tractoras terminales, unidades de refrigeración para transporte montadas en camiones y remolques, montacargas grandes y equipo de manejo de carga, unidades de energía móviles, equipos de apoyo en tierra para aeropuertos, embarcaciones comerciales portuarias y transportadores de vagones y locomotoras de cambio. La primera ronda de CORE dio como resultado más de 460 cupones para vehículos y equipos de suministro de vehículos eléctricos por un total de más de $62 millones de dólares, siendo las cabezas tractoras de terminal el tipo de equipo más solicitado. La segunda ronda de CORE se lanzó en julio de 2022 y tuvo una gran demanda. Actualmente, hay financiamiento disponible. Visite https://californiacore.org/ticker/ para obtener más información.

by Elishia Sharie

New CORE Funding Category Provides More Than $27 million for Small Business Landscape Professionals

Starting November 7, 2022, qualified small business landscape professionals can purchase discounted zero-emission lawn mowers, blowers and other landscape equipment through a new category of funding offered through the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE). Administered by CALSTART, the CORE program’s new funding category has an allocation of more than $27 million of voucher funds for professional landscape services operated by small businesses or sole proprietors.

CALSTART administers the CORE program and its new funding category for CARB. CARB first announced this new funding opportunity in October.

“Professional landscapers often operate on very tight profit margins and can find it challenging to upgrade to new technology,” said Jacob Whitson, CALSTART’s lead project manager, “CORE’s new landscape voucher incentives will allow them to more easily adopt zero-emission professional equipment for their businesses, while in turn encouraging manufacturers to expand their offerings in this market.”

“Now widely available, this new cleaner, quieter equipment eliminates exposure to harmful fumes for the professionals operating these machines, and for anyone nearby,” said Sydney Vergis, chief of CARB’s Mobile Source Control Division. “The CORE project incentive funds will help get more zero-emission equipment into the hands of landscape professionals — while also helping California meet its clean air and climate goals.”

Equipment purchasers can request vouchers for the following types of landscape equipment starting today, November 7, 2022:

Edgers
Hedgers
String trimmers
Chainsaws
Pole saws
Vacuums
Handheld leaf blowers
Backpack leaf blowers
Walk-behind mowers
Ride-on/Stand-ride mowers
Batteries
Chargers
Power management equipment

CORE’s website features both a list of approved zero-emission landscape service equipment manufacturers and a list of approved dealers throughout California and other states.

To be considered for voucher eligibility, small businesses must offer landscape services that help repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape systems and facilities for public and private gardens and other areas that are designed to aesthetically, architecturally, horticulturally, or functionally improve the grounds within or surrounding a structure or a tract or plot of land. Additionally, the business must be independently owned and operated with a principal office located in California. Finally, the company must have 100 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $15 million or less over the previous three years.

To promote broad application of CORE funding, $10 million of the total funding allocation will be set aside for 180 calendar days to ensure microbusinesses have access to participate. The remaining $17 million will be set aside for small businesses.

To submit a voucher request, vehicle purchasers must select eligible equipment from the equipment catalog and contact an approved dealer to submit a voucher request. The dealer will submit the voucher request to the Voucher Processing Center and the vehicle purchaser will receive the CORE incentive at the point of sale.

Another $125 million in heavy-duty voucher funds have been allocated for construction and agriculture equipment categories supported by CORE, including: terminal tractors, truck- and trailer-mounted transport refrigeration units, large forklifts and cargo-handling equipment, mobile power units, airport ground-support equipment, commercial harbor craft and railcar movers and switcher locomotives. The first round of CORE resulted in over 460 vouchers for vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment totaling over $62 million, with terminal tractors being the most requested equipment type. The second round of CORE launched in July of 2022 and saw high demand. Currently, there is funding available. Visit https://californiacore.org/ticker/ to learn more.

by Elishia Sharie

$125M in Incentives for Off-Road Zero-Emission Equipment Available through the California CORE Project

Vouchers for Tractors, Forklifts, Construction Equipment and More Help Reduce Emissions and Improve Air Quality

PASADENA, CA – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) opens the second round of its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) today, providing point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emission equipment. The project is administered by CALSTART and has $125M in funding available, more than double the amount allocated to the project when it first launched in January 2020. Originally only for freight, in 2022, CORE is expanding to include funding for the commercial harbor craft and agriculture and construction sectors.

Participation in the project has been streamlined for ease of use, and key elements include:

Qualified participants will receive vouchers for point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emission equipment, up to a maximum of $500,000 per voucher
There is no requirement to “scrap,” sell, or retire existing equipment
Additional funding may be available for charging/refueling infrastructure, equipment operated in disadvantaged communities, and small businesses

“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,” CARB Deputy Executive Officer Craig Segall said. “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.”

“The streamlined process incorporates feedback from program participants and we are anticipating significant interest in this second round,” said Niki Okuk, deputy director at CALSTART. “The industry is continuing its transition to zero-emissions and CORE provides a clear market signal that helps bring new products to the market.”

CORE supports the following nine equipment 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

The first round of CORE resulted in over 460 vouchers for vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment totaling over $62 million, with terminal tractors being the most requested equipment type.

CORE is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, improving public health and the environment, and providing meaningful benefits to the most disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households.

About California Air Resources Board (CARB)

CARB’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. CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards.

About CALSTART

A national nonprofit consortium with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Washington, D.C., central Europe and partners world-wide, CALSTART works with 300+ member company and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient and clean high-tech transportation industry. We knock down barriers to modernization and the adoption of clean vehicles. CALSTART is changing transportation for good.

by Elishia Sharie

CARB Reopens CORE Project with $125M in Incentives to Encourage Deployment of Zero-Emission Technology in Off-Road Applications

CALSTART-administered Project Provides Point-of-sale Discount Vouchers for Zero-Emission Off-Road Heavy-Duty Equipment

PASADENA, CA - What could be done with $125 million to reduce the environmental harm being done by off-road equipment? The California Air Resources Board (CARB) aims to find out and has announced the second round of its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), tripling the amount of allocated funding from the previous round for equipment used in agriculture, airport, railyard, port, construction, and marine operations.

CORE first opened in February 2020 and closed that August after the total allocation of $44.6 million was exhausted. Due to high demand, $30 million of the FY 2021-22 allocation was appropriated ahead of CARB’s board meeting to fund vouchers on a contingency list. The project’s relaunch, scheduled to begin in July 2022, will have $125 million in available funds.

CORE is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

CORE encourages and assists purchasers and lessees of off-road equipment – agricultural tractors, forklifts, airport cargo loaders, container loaders, railcar movers and the like – in acquiring zero-emission versions of this equipment. While conventional internal-combustion engine (ICE) off-road equipment accounts for only a small percentage of all vehicles in California, shifting over to zero-emission equipment can help reduce the significant amount of greenhouse gasses these vehicles release.

The project is streamlined for ease of use. Those who qualify will be provided vouchers by CORE for point-of-sale discounts on off-road equipment, up to a maximum of $500,000 per voucher, and will not have to retire or sell their existing ICE equipment (called a “scrappage” requirement). There will also be additional funding for charging/refueling infrastructure equipment operated in disadvantaged communities and for small businesses.

“California is backing up its commitment to clean the air in overburdened communities with a significant investment in zero-emission vehicles and sustainable transportation,” CARB Deputy Executive Officer Craig Segall said. “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.”

The project, administered by the national clean transportation non-profit CALSTART, is expected to reduce emissions, particularly in the most impacted areas; help build confidence in zero-emission technology in support of CARB strategies and subsequent regulatory efforts; and provide benefits such as technology transferability, reductions in advanced-technology component costs and larger infrastructure investments.

“CORE increases awareness and uptake of zero-emission equipment across many industry sectors and also sends market signals to manufacturers who can bring more of this equipment to the market,” said Niki Okuk, deputy director at CALSTART. “We are looking forward to the new products coming online and the improvements in emission reductions and air quality.”

There are nine funding categories of zero-emission equipment that CORE supports, including:

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

The equipment eligible under these categories is manufactured and sold by such companies as:

Orange EV
Kalmar
Kalmar Ottawa
ITW
Wiggins
BYD
Dannar
AEM
Freewire
Zephir-Trackmobile
Worldwide Forklifts
Shuttlewagon
eNow

To become an approved CORE manufacture or dealer visit californiacore.org. If you are a purchaser interested in zero-emission equipment visit the project page for more information.

About California Air Resources Board (CARB)

About CALSTART

###

by Elishia Sharie

California CORE Project FY21-22 Changes

On Friday, November 19, 2021 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) conducted a Board Meeting via Zoom to present programmatic changes to current clean transportation incentives, including potential changes to the California Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Project. CARB announced it has allocated approximately $195 million to continue funding the CORE Project for FY21-22.

Potential changes to the CORE Project for FY21-22: Based on Board priorities and input received from stakeholders, staff is considering the following changes to the program:

Equity and Small Business Considerations: Staff will evaluate methods to build awareness and make funds more accessible to small businesses while continuing to prioritize the deployment of CORE-funded equipment in low-income, disadvantaged, underserved and rural communities. This includes a $30 million set-aside for zero-emission small off-road equipment purchases made by small California landscaping companies or sole proprietors following legislative direction.
New Equipment Categories: Staff has received interest from manufacturers of off-road equipment types that are not currently eligible to participate in CORE, such as those used in construction, agriculture, and lawn and garden. Staff sees a significant opportunity to expand the eligible equipment categories to include equipment used in these industries.
Voucher Amounts, Off-Ramps for Mature Equipment Categories, and Other Programmatic Changes: CORE is intended to spur market growth of advanced technology in off-road equipment. Staff will continue to adjust voucher levels in a way that continues to move the needle to advance technology, ensure equipment diversity, and maximize the impact of available funding. Potential adjustments could include reducing voucher amounts for equipment categories that are further along in their commercialization arc, establishing project caps, and adjusting enhancements, as appropriate.

These changes and plans to reopen the project to new voucher requests, and other topics to be included in the FY 2021-22 Implementation Manual will be discussed in more detail in upcoming CORE Workgroup meetings beginning of 2022. Information about upcoming workgroup meetings will be announced via GovDelivery notice soon (follow link to subscribe to CORE GovDelivery email notifications if you have not already). CALSTART will provide more details via email.

For questions or comments, please email [email protected].

by Elishia Sharie