National Drive Electric Week is being observed Sept. 8 through 16, and the Valley Air District is highlighting the widespread availability, practicality and affordability of today’s plug-in vehicles. The District’s Drive Clean in the San Joaquin program provides Valley residents and businesses with a rebate of up to $3,000 when purchasing or leasing a battery-electric, or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

The San Joaquin Valley air basin fails to meet federal, health-based standards for ground-level ozone and particulate matter pollution. While meteorology, geography and topography play a key role in the Valley’s air pollution problems, motor vehicles are its largest emission source. Since the Air District does not hold regulatory authority over tail pipe emissions, a robust grants and incentives program are among its many strategies to reduce air pollution and protect public health in the San Joaquin Valley.

Electric vehicles are less expensive to maintain and more convenient to fuel than gasoline vehicles, are better for the environment, and most importantly, produce zero emissions.

Through the rebate option of the District’s Drive Clean in the San Joaquin incentive program, individuals or organizations who purchase or lease a new, electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, are eligible for rebates up to $3,000. Additional state and local incentives offer significant rebates beyond that offered by the District.

To learn more and download the application, visit: http://valleyair.org/drivecleaninthesanjoaquin/rebate/.

Businesses and public agencies are also encouraged to help build the Valley’s EV infrastructure by installing electric vehicle charging stations using the District’s Charge Up! Program. Charge Up! provides grants to organizations that install charging stations on site for public and employee use. For more information on Charge Up!, visit: www.valleyair.org/chargeup.

For more information, call the local Air District office in Modesto at 209-557-6400.