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Pomona Showcase

Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive: Pomona, CA

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and CALSTART are hosting a Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive featuring medium- and heavy-duty trucks (Class 2b-8), heavy-duty off-road equipment, school and transit buses, and commercial vans. This is your opportunity to get behind the wheel of these vehicles and learn about funding programs to help your purchase of zero-emissions technology.

Register for free starting October 2024. Don’t miss out, sign up now to receive email reminders!

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Pomona Showcase


Public Workgroup Meeting for the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) Heavy-Duty FY22-23

Heavy-Duty Workgroup flyer

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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has allocated $273 million of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 funding to the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive (CORE) Project, furthering the shift to zero-emission technology in diverse markets, industries, and applications using zero-emission off-road equipment. This year, CARB will continue to build on key efforts to ensure the project operates effectively at this proposed funding level. Staff will continue to engage with stakeholders through a public work group process to update implementation of the program in the following areas:

- Equity and small business considerations
- Funding categories
- Program eligibility metrics
- Zero-emission equipment refueling support

On February 9, 2023, CARB will hold a public workgroup to discuss CORE implementation. Topics will include an overview of the CORE Project, FY 2021-22 voucher funding outcomes, and FY 2022-23 Implementation and projected timeline.

Date:                February 9, 2023Time:                10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (PST)Location:         Zoom

Agenda: Workgroup Agenda

PowerPoint Presentation: Workgroup PPT


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.


CORE Workgroup Flyer 9.21.2022

Public Workgroup #4 Meeting – Professional Landscape Service Equipment

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

The Fiscal Year 2021-22 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives allocated $194.95 million to the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (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. In addition to freight, this year CORE has expanded to include incentive funding for construction, agriculture, and marine zero-emission equipment. Included in the total funding allocation for CORE for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is $30 million from Senate Bill 170 directing CARB to establish a statewide program for incentivizing the purchase of zero-emission professional landscaping equipment for small-businesses and sole proprietors.

On August 29, 2022, California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff held a public workgroup meeting to present a draft “Attachment D - Professional Landscape Service Equipment – CORE Implementation Manual (IM)” for California small businesses or sole proprietor landscapers. Please see below for the meeting agenda, PPT presentation and IM.

Contact

If you have qustions or comments regarding this work group, please contact Mr. Eloy Florez, Air Pollution Specialist, at (951) 542-3166. If you require a special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e. Braille, large print) or another language, please contact CARB via email at [email protected] as soon as possible. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.

Servicios de interpretación 

El 29 de agosto de 2022, el personal del Consejo de Recursos del Aire de California (CARB) llevo a cabo una reunión pública para presentar un borrador del “Adjunto D, El Manual de Implementación” para equipos profesionales de paisajismo y empresas pequeñas de paisajistas operando en California. Adicionalmente, se busca comentarios para el desarrollo del Programa de incentivos para equipos todoterreno limpios (CORE, por sus siglas en ingles).

Esta junta se llevo a cabo en inglés con servicios de interpretación en español.  Sus preguntas, comentarios, y respuestas se usarán para el desarrollo de este proyecto y serán traducidas para el beneficio de todos los participantes.  Para más información favor de contactar a Sr. Eloy Florez, Especialista de Contaminación del Aire, al (951) 542-3166.


CORE Workgroup Flyer 8.29.2022

Public Workgroup #3 Meeting - Professional Landscape Service Equipment

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

The Fiscal Year 2021-22 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives allocated $194.95 million to the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (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. In addition to freight, this year CORE has expanded to include incentive funding for construction, agriculture, and marine zero-emission equipment. Included in the total funding allocation for CORE for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is $30 million from Senate Bill 170 directing CARB to establish a statewide program for incentivizing the purchase of zero-emission professional landscaping equipment for small-businesses and sole proprietors.

On August 29, 2022, California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff will hold a public workgroup meeting to present a draft “Attachment D - Professional Landscape Service Equipment – CORE Implementation Manual” for California small businesses or sole proprietor landscapers.

This meeting will be webcast via Zoom. To participate in the work group meeting, please register before 3:50 p.m. on August 28, 2022. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information to join the webinar either through a computer, digital device, or via conference line. Each meeting link in the confirmation email is unique so please do not share it with others. Every person who wishes to participate needs to register separately and use the unique link sent to them to access the webinar. Please note that there is no in-person attendance option for this meeting. This meeting will be recorded. A link to the recording will be available after the meeting date on the Low Carbon Transportation Investments and Air Quality Improvement Program website. The discussion material which will be posted no later than August 28, 2022.

Contact

If you have qustions or comments regarding this work group, please contact Mr. Eloy Florez, Air Pollution Specialist, at (951) 542-3166. If you require a special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e. Braille, large print) or another language, please contact CARB via email at [email protected] as soon as possible. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.

Servicios de interpretación 

El 29 de agosto de 2022, el personal del Consejo de Recursos del Aire de California (CARB) llevará a cabo una reunión pública para presentar un borrador del “Adjunto D, El Manual de Implementación” para equipos profesionales de paisajismo y empresas pequeñas de paisajistas operando en California. Adicionalmente, se busca comentarios para el desarrollo del Programa de incentivos para equipos todoterreno limpios (CORE, por sus siglas en ingles).

Esta junta se llevará a cabo en inglés con servicios de interpretación en español.  Sus preguntas, comentarios, y respuestas se usarán para el desarrollo de este proyecto y serán traducidas para el beneficio de todos los participantes.  Para más información favor de contactar a Sr. Eloy Florez, Especialista de Contaminación del Aire, al (951) 542-3166.


$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.

 


Dole Advances on Goal of 100% Electric Cargo Handling Equipment at San Diego Port Terminal - Funded in Part via CORE

Dole Company Photo

Dole Food Company announced a $1.5 million dollar electrification project at its West Coast port operation. This project has funded five new electric utility tractor rigs (UTRS) to add to Dole’s growing electric fleet of container transfer trucks.

These new terminal UTRs—adding to two existing electric vehicles currently in operation at the facility—are funded in part via the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). 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 costs of such technology.

Dole will retire four diesel-powered UTRs with these new battery electric units, resulting in a substantial emission reduction.

As per the research submitted in Dole’s application to CORE, each new UTR will avoid 0.3194 tons NOx/year over the 10-year life for a total reduction of 3.194 tons NOx per UTR and a cumulative project emissions reduction of 12.776 tons NOx over the 10 years.

With these changes, Dole now affirms 35 percent of its port transfer UTRs are electric, well on its way to meet the company goal to be 100 percent electrified in its UTR fleet by 2030...

(READ THE FULL ARTICLE)


CORE Workgroup 2.17.2022

Work Group Meeting to Implement Fiscal Year 2021-22 Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), February 17, 2022

This event has passed

On Tuesday, February 17, 2022 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) hosted a Workgroup Meeting for the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE). The workgroup reviewed the Board-approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives (Funding Plan). Each year, staff conducts additional public process following Board approval of the Funding Plan to define new mechanisms and criteria for the FY while completing annual updates to the Implementation Manual. This workgroup will discuss various topics, such as lessons learned and potential Implementation Manual updates, equipment categories, dealer/manufacturer participation, and other outstanding CORE topics.  CARB staff will take this opportunity to engage with stakeholders with a question-and-answer session.

Background

California Climate Investments Low Carbon Transportation Funding

The Low Carbon Transportation program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program 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. CARB’s Low Carbon Transportation Program is designed to accelerate the transition to low carbon freight and passenger transportation with a priority on providing health and economic benefits to California’s most disadvantaged communities. These investments support the State’s climate change strategy pillars of a 50 percent reduction in petroleum use in vehicles by 2030 and reducing short lived climate pollutants and the Governor’s goal to deploy 5 million zero- emissions vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030. These investments also reduce ozone precursor emissions and toxic diesel particulate emissions, supporting the State’s goals in these areas.

Since 2013, the Legislature has appropriated a total of over $2.7 billion to CARB for Low Carbon Transportation projects. These funds are being used to fund zero-emission and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles through CVRP; light-duty vehicle equity projects to increase access to clean transportation in disadvantaged communities and for lower‑income Californians; deployment incentives for clean trucks and buses; and advanced technology demonstration projects for freight trucks and off-road equipment.

Annual Funding Plan

The annual funding plan is each year’s blueprint for expending Low Carbon Transportation and AQIP funds appropriated to CARB in the State budget. The FY 2021-22 Funding Plan covered a total of $1.5 billion in clean transportation appropriated to CARB in the Budget Act of 2021 as amended by SB 129 (Skinner, Chapter 69, Statutes of 2021) and SB 170 (Skinner, Chapter 240, Statutes of 2021).

The FY 2021-2022 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives allocates $194.95 million to CORE to build upon a program that will bring about greater adoption of cleaner, commercially available off-road technologies by providing a streamlined way for fleets ready to purchase specific zero-emission equipment to receive funding. The modifications approved by the Board include an expansion into equipment types beyond freight, including, but not limited to, construction, agriculture, and material handling. In addition, the creation of set asides for small business or sole proprietors to purchase small off-road equipment, including but not limited to, leaf blowers and lawnmowers for professional landscape services.

Air Pollution Control Fund investments have traditionally funded multiple technologies, overcoming deployment barriers, reducing production costs, promoting consumer acceptance, and accelerating technology transfer to other sectors. This program is designed to achieve both immediate emission reductions and, as emphasized in Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20, support the transformation of California’s equipment fleet to one that is zero-emitting where feasible. In designing these investments, CARB strives to maximize the benefits for disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households.

For more information about the FY 2021-22 Funding Plan, please visit the Funding Plan website.

The CORE Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program 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.

Contact

If you have questions or comments regarding this work group, please contact [email protected].

If you require a special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e. Braille, large print) or another language, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.


CORE Workgroup 5.10.2022

Work Group Meeting to Implement Fiscal Year 2021-22 Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) May 10, 2022

On May 10, 2022, California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff will hold a third public workgroup meeting to further discuss development of CORE. Topics will include an overview of the Implementation Manual (IM) and the zero-emission equipment manufacturer, dealer, and owner voucher application processes. Note that this version of the IM does not include professional landscaping equipment, which is being developed on an independent timeline.

This event has passed

View slide deck: CORE Workgroup Slide Deck

Background

California Climate Investments Low Carbon Transportation Funding: The Low Carbon Transportation program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program 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. CARB’s Low Carbon Transportation Program is designed to accelerate the transition to low carbon freight and passenger transportation with a priority on providing health and economic benefits to California’s most disadvantaged communities. These investments support the State’s climate change strategy pillars of a 50 percent reduction in petroleum use in vehicles by 2030 and reducing short lived climate pollutants and the Governor’s goal to deploy 5 million zero- emissions vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030. Additionally, these incentives provide important early steps to transform the transportation sector, supporting Governor Newsom’s recent Executive Order N-79-20 calling on the State to accelerate the transformation to a zero-emission transportation fleet. Lastly, these investments reduce ozone precursor emissions and toxic diesel particulate emissions, supporting the State’s goals in these areas.

Since 2013, the Legislature has appropriated a total of over $2.7 billion to CARB for Low Carbon Transportation projects. These funds are being used to fund zero-emission and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles through CVRP; light-duty vehicle equity projects to increase access to clean transportation in disadvantaged communities and for lower‑income Californians; deployment incentives for clean trucks and buses; and advanced technology demonstration projects for freight trucks and off-road equipment.

Annual Funding Plan: The annual funding plan is each year’s blueprint for expending Low Carbon Transportation and AQIP funds appropriated to CARB in the State budget. The FY 2021-22 Funding Plan covered a total of $1.5 billion in clean transportation appropriated to CARB in the Budget Act of 2021 as amended by SB 129 (Skinner, Chapter 69, Statutes of 2021) and SB 170 (Skinner, Chapter 240, Statutes of 2021).

The FY 2021-2022 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives allocates $194.95 million to CORE to build upon a program that will bring about greater adoption of cleaner, commercially available off-road technologies by providing a streamlined way for fleets ready to purchase specific zero-emission equipment to receive funding. The modifications approved by the Board include an expansion into equipment types beyond freight, including, but not limited to, construction, agriculture, and material handling. In addition, the creation of set asides for small business or sole proprietors to purchase small off-road equipment, including but not limited to, leaf blowers and lawnmowers for professional landscape services.

Air Pollution Control Fund investments have traditionally funded multiple technologies, overcoming deployment barriers, reducing production costs, promoting consumer acceptance, and accelerating technology transfer to other sectors. This program is designed to achieve both immediate emission reductions and, as emphasized in Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20, support the transformation of California’s equipment fleet to one that is zero-emitting where feasible. In designing these investments, CARB strives to maximize the benefits for disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households.

CORE will provide vouchers for specified types of zero-emission off-road equipment on a first-come, first‑served basis, with increased incentives for equipment located in disadvantaged communities. CORE accelerates the deployment of cleaner off‑road equipment and benefits the citizens of California by providing immediate criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emission reductions and supporting California’s long-term air quality and climate change goals.

Contact
If you have questions or comments regarding this workgroup, please contact Mr. Todd Sterling, Air Pollution Specialist, at (279) 842-9870. If you require a special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e. Braille, large print) or another language, please contact CARB via email at [email protected] as soon as possible. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.


CORE Workgroup Flyer

Work Group Meeting to Implement Fiscal Year 2021-22 Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) January 18, 2022

This event has passed

On Tuesday, January 18, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) hosted a webinar workgroup for the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE). The workgroup was part of the annual public process following Board approval of the Funding Plan to define new mechanisms and criteria for the fiscal year while completing yearly updates to the Implementation Manual. CARB Staff engaged with stakeholders and established protocol to successfully reopen the project after limited funding was exhausted in 2020.If you were unable to attend or wish to revisit the workgroup meeting, please follow the link below to view the recording.

Agenda:   https://bit.ly/3rv0vVD 

Recording: https://bit.ly/347RXMm

Stay informed about upcoming CORE workgroups by registering for CARB's list serve today: https://bit.ly/3EoaOzZ

Contact

If you have questions or comments regarding this work group, please contact Todd Sterling.