Uncategorized Archives - Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project

Éxito en la financiación de proyectos de gran envergadura para el ejercicio fiscal 2024-2025

El ciclo de financiación para vehículos pesados del Proyecto de Incentivos mediante Bonos para Equipos Todoterreno Limpios (CORE) del ejercicio fiscal 2024-2025 se cerró oficialmente el 19 de noviembre, y la respuesta ha sido abrumadora. Con más de 36 millones de dólares en fondos para vales disponibles, este ciclo contó con una fuerte participación de compradores, concesionarios, fabricantes de equipos originales y organismos públicos de toda California. La demanda pone de relieve el creciente impulso de los equipos todoterreno de cero emisiones y el papel fundamental que desempeña el CORE en la aceleración de la adopción de tecnologías limpias.

PUNTOS DESTACADOS

Las pequeñas empresas marcan el camino: más del 90 % de los vales solicitados procedían de pequeñas empresas, mientras que el 10 % restante procedía de organismos públicos, lo que reafirma la misión de CORE de empoderar a estas partes interesadas.
Gran demanda en los sectores agrícola y de la construcción: las solicitudes procedentes de estos sectores superaron en cuatro veces la financiación disponible, lo que pone de relieve la importancia de CORE a la hora de reducir los costes iniciales e impulsar la adopción de tecnologías con cero emisiones.
Se han solicitado más de 600 unidades de equipo: esta cifra pone de manifiesto la urgente necesidad de seguir invirtiendo en tecnología limpia para vehículos todoterreno.

HISTORIAS DE ÉXITO

Los Distritos de Saneamiento del Condado de Los Ángeles (LACSD) se han asociado con CORE para poner en marcha 14 equipos todoterreno de cero emisiones. Los resultados han sido un aumento de la eficiencia, una mejora de las condiciones de trabajo y una reducción de los costes operativos.

Gracias por formar parte de esta exitosa edición. Estén atentos a los detalles sobre el seminario web del Grupo de Trabajo de la CARB en 2026, en el que las partes interesadas podrán contribuir a definir la próxima ronda de financiación.

Contáctanos

Visite californiacore.org o póngase en contacto con [email protected] si desea obtener más información o tiene alguna pregunta.

by Elishia Sharie

Apply Now! Opportunity to Stack Grant Funding for Zero-Emission Cargo Handling Equipment, Heavy-Lift Forklifts, Ferries, Tugboats, and Towboats.

Apply Now! Opportunity to Stack Grant Funding for Zero-Emission Cargo Handling Equipment, Heavy-Lift Forklifts, Ferries, Tugboats, and Towboats.

The California Volkswagen (VW) Zero-Emission Freight and Marine (ZEFM) Program is a statewide scrap-and-replace program administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (AQMD). This solicitation has $25 million in funding available Statewide to owners of eligible equipment. The following zero-emissions projects are eligible:

Replacing cargo handling equipment, including terminal tractors, with zero-emission alternatives.

Repowering marine vessels, including ferries, tugboats, and towboats to zero-emission;

Replacing heavy-lift forklifts (with a lift capacity of 8,001 lbs. or greater) with zero-emission alternatives; and

Stacking or combining funding with other public funding programs, such as funding from the VW ZEFM Program, is allowed by CORE; however, the terms and conditions of each funding source must be met. The maximum amount of incentive funding from all other public funding sources cannot exceed the total cost of the equipment, excluding taxes and fees, when funding is stacked.

Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until Enero 22, 2025, at 4 pm PDT.

Start your application today at Zero-Emission Freight and Marine Projects (californiavwtrust.org).

Upcoming Webinar

Join Bay Area AQMD for an informational webinar to review program requirements and the application process on Miércoles, Enero 8, 2025, at 2 PM PDT. Register now!

Additional Resources

More information, including Solicitation Guidance is available on the district website at Zero-Emission Freight and Marine Projects (californiavwtrust.org).

To stay informed and receive other important updates related to the Program, please sign up for the Zero-Emission Freight and Marine program emailing list.

Background

This program is funded through the VW Mitigation Trust that provides California $423 million to mitigate the excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions caused by illegal use of emissions testing defeat devices in VW diesel vehicles. California’s VW Mitigation Trust funding advances low-emission vehicle and equipment deployment and accelerates the zero-emission transformation of transportation systems. More than 75 percent of the funds from this funding category will benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities. Visit the California VW Mitigation Trust program website for more information.

Contact

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District serves as the statewide administrator for the ZEFM Program in partnership with the California Air Resources Board. If you have any questions regarding the open solicitation, please visit the VW Zero-Emission Freight and Marine project website, email, or call 1-844-9VW-FUND (1-844-989-3863).

Working to protect public health, air quality, and the global climate,

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

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 noviembre 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 noviembre 2022 and Septiembre 2023 can be found below.

by Elishia Sharie

Request for Proposal: Annual Survey of Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Voucher Recipients

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit qualified survey companies to conduct a comprehensive study on the experiences, preferences, and challenges faced by purchasers of zero-emission equipment under the Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Incentive Project. Through this survey, we aim to understand the real-world applicability, benefits, and potential areas of improvement for the CORE initiative, thereby ensuring the program not only meets but exceeds its environmental goals while also addressing the practical needs and concerns of its participants.

View the Full RFP

by Elishia Sharie

New CORE Partnerships for Professional Landscape Service Equipment

The California CORE Project has partnered up with the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) and Univision to amplify the news about CORE's new funding category, Professional Landscape Service Equipment. AGZA will help CORE connect with professional landscapers by organizing in-person and online events where landscapers can test out zero-emission professional landscaping equipment, connect with industry professionals and learn more about CORE voucher incentives. Univision will support CORE by utilizing their wide network and multiple methods of communication to inform and educate Spanish speakers about CORE funding opportunities and how to apply for voucher incentives. Through these partnerships, CORE will effectively reach small business landscapers and sole proprietors who would most benefit from receiving CORE voucher incentives for zero-emission Professional Landscape Service Equipment.

CORE x AGZA x Univision Partnership Announcement Graphic English

by Elishia Sharie

Landscape Equipment Manufacturers and Dealers Invited to Participate in New CORE Funding Program

$27 million in Incentives Available to California-based Small Landscape Businesses for Zero-Emission Lawn Mowers, Leaf Blowers, other Equipment

The California Air Resources Board today announced the opening of a new funding category offered through its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), which will make point-of-sale discount vouchers available for zero-emission professional landscape service equipment. This new funding category, administered by CALSTART, has an allocation of over $27 million of voucher funds for professional landscape services operated by small businesses or sole proprietors.

Before voucher funding can be made available to these small businesses, manufacturers are invited now to submit an equipment eligibility application for the new program. Once evaluated and approved, the zero-emission equipment will be listed on the CORE website as eligible for purchase using a discount voucher. Moreover, dealers interested in selling professional landscape equipment through CORE can also visit the CORE website to schedule required training.

Those interested in participating in the CORE project as an eligible professional landscape service manufacturer or approved dealer will need to apply by Octubre 21, 2022. Applications received after Octubre 21 will be accepted but the equipment or dealer may not be approved and listed in time for the opening of the program. If you're considering participating in the CORE project, make sure to get your application in on time. For manufacturer and dealer participation information, go to How To Participate.

Professional landscape service equipment accounts for a significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, and creates considerable noise pollution in the communities in which they’re operated. This new voucher incentive — set to open up for applications as early as noviembre — will help offset the initial purchase cost of alternative zero-emission equipment.

The types of zero-emission professional landscaping equipment eligible for CORE vouchers include:

Bordeadoras
String Trimmers
Operadores de cobertura
Chain- and pole saws
Handheld blowers and vacuums
Backpack blowers and vacuums
Cortacéspedes manuales
Ride-on/stand-ride mowers
Chargers
Equipos de gestión de la energía
Batteries <700Wh
Baterías ≥700 Wh

«Los paisajistas profesionales suelen trabajar con márgenes de beneficio muy ajustados y les puede resultar complicado incorporar nuevas tecnologías», afirmó Jacob Whitson, director de proyectos de CALSTART. «Los nuevos incentivos en forma de vales para paisajismo de CORE les permitirán adoptar más fácilmente equipos profesionales de cero emisiones para sus negocios, al tiempo que animarán a los fabricantes a ampliar su oferta en este mercado».

First announced in 2020, CORE incentives were initially offered only to freight-handling businesses and fleets. Starting in 2022, CORE expanded to include the commercial harbor craft, agriculture and construction sectors in addition to the newly opened landscaping arena.

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

Request For Proposal

Zero-emission lawnmower

For Small Off-Road Landscaping Equipment Demonstration Events and Outreach Proposals, Which Target California Landscapers Who Operate a Small Business or are Sole Proprietors, to Support the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project

Más información

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 Enero 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

CORE Project Administrators attend ACT Expo in Long Beach

Tractor terminal

LONG BEACH, Calif.—CORE Project Administrators attended the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo—North America’s largest advanced transportation technology and clean fleet event—on Mayo 9th and 10th to engage CORE Project participants and other prospective stakeholders who may qualify for voucher incentives.

Part of the objective was to inform stakeholders of the Mayo 10th CORE Workgroup hosted in conjunction with CARB Staff and the publication of the revised Implementation Manual, which includes key programmatic updates and the addition of three new off-road equipment categories: commercial harbor craft, construction, and agriculture.

ACT Expo Particpants

CORE Project Administrators received feedback from current participants in the terminal tractor and forklift categories from manufacturers such as Kalmar Ottawa, Orange EV, BYD, and Wiggins Lift, Co., and distributed informative material at the expo.

The team also attended media events for Carrier Transicold and Volvo Construction Equipment, where state-of-the-art electric transport refrigeration unit (TRU) technology was presented, and a new lineup of zero-emission construction equipment was announced. Through networking and outreach, the benefits of CORE’s incentive opportunities were communicated to key stakeholders who are accelerating the shift to zero-emission off-road equipment for a future of cleaner air and healthier communities.

With the addition of the lawn and garden segment projected to launch late in 2022, CORE Administrators also spoke with OEMs in the landscaping category that have expressed interest in CORE. Landscaping technologies that will be eligible under CORE are yet to be determined.

by Elishia Sharie

California Air Resources Board announces new incentive program for clean off-road freight and cargo handling equipment

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board today announced the launch of a new $40 million program designed to accelerate the purchase and use of zero-emission off-road freight technologies. The “Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project” (CORE) will feature a streamlined voucher process for buyers to receive funding that will offset the higher costs of clean, zero-emission equipment including terminal tractors, transport refrigeration units, cargo-handling equipment and more.

“Forward-thinking, savvy business owners will want to take advantage of CORE because it will enable them to replace their dirty older equipment and get the cleanest, most advanced models available for about the same price as the diesel- or gas-powered version. The result is equipment that saves businesses on fuel costs and has zero tailpipe emissions—a winner for the pocketbook and the community,” said CARB Executive Officer Richard W. Corey.

Under the CORE program a business owner could receive $180,000 to cover the difference between a zero-emission tractor and one that is powered by diesel. The program also encourages deployment of cleaner technology in disadvantaged communities by providing up to 10 percent higher incentives for zero-emission equipment that will be used in these areas.. Awards can’t exceed $500,000 per piece of equipment.

CORE is based on California’s popular Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), which is helping to facilitate and commercialize use of clean on-road technologies by transit agencies throughout the state. From its inception in 2009, more than $447 million has been allocated to HVIP. The investment will bring the total number of ultra-clean trucks and buses operating on California’s roadways to more than 7,000 over the next two years with more on the way, as demand for vouchers continues to grow. Additionally, HVIP has helped more than 1,100 California fleets buy cleaner vehicles.

CALSTART, a national nonprofit consortium that works with innovators to advance modernization and adoption of clean vehicles, administers HVIP, and was recently awarded the contract to administer the CORE program. Both programs are funded by California Climate Investments, the 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 targets commercialized zero-emission products, including the types of equipment listed below. Other equipment categories may be added in the future.

On- and off-road terminal tractors
Transport refrigeration units
Forklifts (greater than 8,000 lbs. lift capacity)
Container handling equipment
Airport cargo loaders
Wide-body aircraft tugs
Railcar movers
Rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes

To obtain CORE discounts, business owners will work with CORE-approved dealers to choose the appropriate equipment. Buyers will receive the discount at the point of sale. The dealer then submits a CORE voucher request form on behalf of the buyer and is reimbursed once all required paperwork is provided and the new zero-emission equipment is delivered to the buyer. Funds for the new program are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Anyone interested in buying equipment through the CORE program should note that their fleets must already be in full compliance with the state’s existing applicable regulations (Truck and Bus, TRU, Off-Road, Large Spark Ignition, Cargo-Handling, etc.). The CORE program cannot be used to bring fleets into compliance.

CORE funding is expected to be available before the end of the year.

More Information

by Elishia Sharie