California Air Resources Board

Background 

In order for a specific vehicle type to be an eligible purchase under several of CARB’s purchase incentive programs, such as Clean Cars 4 All and Financing Assistance, the vehicle must meet specific criteria as outlined below. Once a vehicle meets these criteria, it is listed as an ‘eligible vehicle’ on CARB’s official List of Eligible Vehicles (shown below). Please note that vehicles and participants must still meet the specific eligibility requirements outlined for each program (e.g., price caps, MSRP, income limits, etc). For additional information about vehicle and participant eligibility requirements, please visit the Clean Cars 4 All Implementing Air District page for direct links to each program.

Vehicle Eligibility Criteria

Vehicles must meet the following criteria to be added to the list

1. Have a base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the following vehicle categories:​​​​​​
   • Base MSRP of $60,000 or less for vehicles that fall under the Large Vehicles category. This includes minivans, pickups, and SUVs.
   • Base MSRP of $45,000 or less for vehicles that fall under the Cars category. These are all other light-duty vehicle classes (e.g., hatchbacks, sedans, wagons, and two-seaters).
   • With the exception of fuel-cell electric vehicles, all vehicles must meet the base MSRP caps according to the listed vehicle categories above. Vehicle categories are based on EPA class.
2. Be CARB approved/certified
3. Meet prescribed performance, emissions, service, and warranty thresholds

Manufacturer Application Process

For a vehicle to be eligible for CARB incentive programs, the vehicle manufacturer must submit to CARB the Vehicle Eligibility Application and all supporting documentation, a process that must be completed for each new model year. CARB will work with the vehicle manufacturer to ensure that all the required documentation is received and request any additional information needed to make an eligibility determination.

If the vehicle meets the eligibility requirements, then CARB will add the vehicle to the List of Eligible Vehicle Models and update list, below. The List of Eligible Vehicle Models will be periodically updated as manufacturers submit applications and vehicle models are approved. Vehicles can only be eligible once the new model and model year is added to the List of Eligible Vehicle Models.

CARB has developed two implementation manuals that fully describe vehicle eligibility criteria and the application process for manufacturers of: (1) light-duty zero-emission and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and (2) zero-emission motorcycles:

• The Light-Duty Vehicle Purchase Incentive Program Implementation Manual for Automakers
• The Purchase Incentive Programs Implementation Manual for Manufacturers of Zero Emissions Motorcycles (Pending)

After reviewing the appropriate implementation manual, manufacturers may email us at LDVehicleEligibility@arb.ca.gov to request an application, submit an application and supporting documents, or ask any questions.

List of Eligible New Vehicles for CARB Light-Duty Purchase Incentives

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Battery-Electric Vehicles

Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles

Zero-Emission Motorcycles

Last Updated March 22, 2024